Queen Elizabeth II is pictured with the Australian State Coach presented to Her Majesty by the Australian people on the occasion of the Australian Bicentennial in 1988. The Australian State Coach which is used at the opening of British Parliament as seen here was created by W.J. "Jim" Frecklington, who is also the builder of the new State Coach Britannia (seen inspecting the Australian State Coach with Her Majesty and Prince Philip). Jim has created an enduring legacy that will remain part of British heritage for centuries to come. More images of the Australian State Coach can be viewed here. He is also the creator of the Olympic Gold Chariot, used in conjunction with Olympic Torch Relay on its epic tour throughout Australia for the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000, and the extraordinary Waterford Lamps of Peace also pictured here being blessed by Pope John Paul II. In the 1970's he worked for Her Majesty at The Royal Mews in London. Later, for the Queens Silver Jubilee in 1977, he managed the Royal Coaches Exhibition, which created enormous interest throughout Australia at the many venues at which it was displayed. Jim also built and restored a number of coaches and carriages through this period, and continues to work according to Henry Royce's principle "Take the best that exists and make it better". See more images of the Australian State Coach here

For more information about the State Coaches, Lamps of Peace or the Gold Chariot

call Jim Frecklington on (61 2) 9977 1086

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