Wheels Worth Millions
There's luxury, and then there's building a four-tonne rolling throne covered in cherubs. Historic carriages took extravagance to levels that seem almost ridiculous now. Master craftsmen poured thousands of hours into single vehicles, creating what basically amounted to mobile art galleries. Some of these beauties are still used for major ceremonies. Others sit in museums, reminding us how people once traveled. Join us as we take a look at the 20 most lavish carriages in the world.
Steve F-E-Cameron on Wikimedia
1. Gold State Coach
When King George III ordered a new state coach in 1760, he got quite the engineering marvel: a four-tonne, gold-leaf masterpiece stretching seven metres, adorned with carved cherubs and tritons. It was used for major royal ceremonial events.
2. Diamond Jubilee State Coach
This "museum on wheels" holds more secrets than meets the eye, with fragments from Henry VIII's warships and the Stone of Destiny situated alongside thoroughly modern touches like electric windows and hydraulic stabilizers. It was acquired by the Royal Fleet in 2014.
3. Irish State Coach
You might think protecting royal passengers from nasty weather would mean sacrificing their visibility to crowds, but the Irish State Coach cleverly solved this dilemma. This nineteenth-century enclosed carriage became a luxurious staple of British royal ceremonies, including the opening of Parliament.
4. Ascot Landau
Though built for royal transport, the nineteenth-century Ascot Landau paradoxically champions accessibility through its convertible design and raised seating, allowing crowds to connect with their monarchs. Its wicker-trimmed interior and open-air elegance serve royal weddings and Ascot processions with democratic flair.
5. 1902 State Landau
Every regal detail of the 1902 State Landau serves royal spectacle, from its commanding red-gold-black exterior that heralds heir-apparent luxury to its plush interior that cradles royal couples. Still used for major state events, it combines historical elegance with ceremonial prestige.
John Pannell from Watford, UK on Wikimedia
6. Glass Coach (United Kingdom)
Few symbols capture the public-facing nature of the British monarchy quite like the Glass Coach, its sweeping windows purposefully structured to connect royalty with their subjects. Since 1881, this transparent marvel has played starring roles in coronations and royal weddings.
FaceMePLS from The Hague, The Netherlands on Wikimedia
7. Scottish State Coach
When Scotland hosts royal state visits, this coach takes center stage in ceremonial processions. Its Scottish crown emblems and Order of the Thistle decorations proudly display cultural heritage. The same was built for Prince Adolphus in 1830.
8. 1835 Traveling Landauer
Featuring an astounding fifty yards of hand-stitched cord, the 1835 Traveling Landauer exemplifies the pinnacle of carriage craftsmanship. Commissioned for King William IV's Royal Mews, its superior detailing and comfort earned it the "Rolls-Royce of carriages" title.
9. H.M. The King’s Gala Barouche
In the delicate dance between monarch and masses, this four-wheeled masterpiece takes center stage, its open design changing every royal procession into an intimate theatrical experience. The Gala Barouche's elegant lines and visibility-focused architecture make Swedish ceremonial celebrations a truly shared spectacle.
10. 1895–1898 Road Coach
Why would a horse-drawn coach fetch £100,000 ($134,352) in today's market? The answer lies in this 1895–1898 Road Coach's extraordinary fusion of vibrant pre-automobile design and elite craftsmanship, forming an aesthetically opulent masterpiece whose rarity thrills collectors and parade enthusiasts alike.
Lee Wright from Marlborough, Massachusetts, US on Wikimedia
11. 1880 Holland & Holland Drag
The generous storage compartments and opulent black leather upholstery tell a tale of Victorian luxury engineering at its finest—hallmarks that reveal this 1880 Drag as the work of London's prestigious Holland & Holland coachbuilders. It commands $121,000 in modern valuation.
AlejandroLinaresGarcia on Wikimedia
12. 1880 Brougham 8 Fold Suspension
In Victorian society, where one's carriage spoke volumes about their standing, the 1880 Brougham's revolutionary eight-fold suspension system justified its princely valuation. This engineering masterpiece delivered unmatched comfort over rough streets, establishing ride quality as a defining trait of luxury transport.
Michael Gaylard from Horsham, UK on Wikimedia
13. Dutch Golden Carriage
From its 1898 debut, the Dutch Golden Carriage dazzled as a gilded masterpiece of ceremonial pomp—yet its elaborate colonial imagery has proven a double-edged sword. What once proclaimed monarchical splendor now sparks heated debate, transforming this ornate vehicle from pure pageantry into cultural
14. Imperial Coach (Austria)
Born in Vienna's illustrious court, the Imperial Coach emerged as a masterwork of Habsburg ceremonial transport, its lavishly decorated golden exterior epitomizing the dynasty's taste for grandeur. This one was built in the 18th century for Emperor Charles VI.
15. Ceremonial Coach Of King João V
Among all royal carriages of Europe, only King João V's ceremonial coach dared to roll on wheels adorned with the very patterns of the zodiac itself. Today, it dazzles visitors at Lisbon’s National Coach Museum as one of the grandest carriages.
Pedro Ribeiro Simões from Lisboa, Portugal on Wikimedia
16. Little Carriage Of Louis-Charles
In the royal workshops of Ancien Régime France, experienced craftsmen labored to make an enchanting miniature carriage befitting young Louis-Charles. Their whimsical layout, complete with fittings for small animal handlers, turned the bespoke transport into a spectacle worthy of the future Louis XVII.
17. State Coach (Glass Coach, Sweden)
A treasured emblem of Swedish royal heritage, this magnificent state coach has faithfully served ceremonial duties from its home in the Royal Stables. Though graced with expansive windows reminiscent of Britain's Glass Coach, its true distinction lies in its role during royal weddings and grand state occasions.
18. Coronation Carriage Of Charles X
Those fierce lion heads on the wheels aren't just for show. They roar with royal authority, much like the entire carriage's bronze ornaments. What's really clever is how this massive ceremonial showpiece could swap out its sculptures, adapting from Charles X's coronation.
19. Funeral Coach Of Louis XVIII
In 1824, as France bid farewell to Louis XVIII, royal ceremony demanded nothing less than spectacular pageantry. This funeral coach, pulled by eight horses in embroidered finery, married somber black velvet with regal purple fleurs-de-lis, while an angelic torch presided over it.
20. Topaze Berline
Coordinating forty berlines and over 240 horses for Napoleon's 1810 wedding parade required military-grade precision, with the Topaze Berline, named for the precious gem. This parade not only transported the imperial couple but also emphasized Napoleon's imperial prestige.
