Shrewsbury State Chariot outside the Swan Hotel, Stafford,

Description:The Earl of Shrewsbury's State Chariot passing the Swan Hotel in Greengate Street, in preparation for the coronation celebrations of June 1953.

State Carriages, or Dress Chariots, were used for court and formal occasions by royalty and families of rank. This State Carriage was built in the nineteenth century for the 20th Earl of Shrewsbury, by Hooper and Co. Ltd. of London.

The coachman and two footmen wear state livery which includes white wigs, knee breeches and heavily braided jackets. The footmen are Major Anthony Crofton (the Earl's brother-in-law) and William Heath (manager of the Home Farm, Ingestre). The driver is Mr M.W. Loxley.

The Shrewsbury State Carriage was used for the state visit to Ireland in 1911, and at the coronations of King Edward VII and Queen Elizabeth II. On the latter occasion the chestnut horses, borrowed from Mitchell & Butler's Brewery in Birmingham, proved temperamental and after four and three-quarter miles finally refused to move. Lord Shrewsbury, whose presence as Premier Earl and Lord High Steward of Ireland was essential, covered the last two hundred yards to Westminster Abbey by car.

The State Carriage is part of the Staffordshire County Museum collection.