Speaker's State Coach backdrop for King's visit despite 'depicting enslaved ... trends now
The Speaker's State coach will be used as the backdrop for the King's pre-coronation visit to Parliament today - despite a 'woke' review linking it to slavery.
The 17th Century carriage will be in Westminster Hall when the monarch and Queen Consort attend a reception with senior politicians this afternoon.
However, it was described as 'depicting enslaved people' in a controversial roll-call of Parliamentary artworks - apparently because it features a carving of a Roman slave.
Tories have branded the review by the Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art a 'waste of time and taxpayers' money', insisting it is misguided to 'sit in judgement' on the past.
It has identified hundreds of portraits and sculptures of political leaders as connected to slavery - along with the historic carriage.
Speaker Lindsay Hoyle posed with the 17th Century state coach yesterday, and voiced pleasure that it had been brought back from the National Trust Carriage Museum at Arlington Court for the coronation event
The 17th Century carriage will be in Westminster Hall when the King and Queen Consort (file picture) attend a reception with senior politicians this afternoon
The Speaker's coach was described as 'depicting enslaved people' in a controversial roll-call of Parliamentary artworks - apparently because it features a carving of a slave from ancient times
Speaker Lindsay Hoyle posed with the coach yesterday, and voiced pleasure that it had been brought back from the National Trust Carriage Museum at Arlington Court for the coronation event.
'I am very excited that members of the public will have the opportunity to see the Speaker's State Coach, which was used in so many historic state events, including the coronations of Her Late Majesty, her father and grandfather,' Sir Lindsay said.
The coach - last used at the wedding of Charles and Diana in the 1980s - will not feature in Saturday's procession, but will remain on display until the autumn.
Once on display source said the coach will be accompanied by an 'interpretative booklet looking in detail at the carved and painted imagery'.
Charles and Camilla will be hosted by Sir Lindsay as they meet Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer just four days before the coronation ceremony.
It is understood Buckingham Palace had no role in the decision on whether to use the coach.
A Palace spokeswoman said it was a matter for the House of Commons.
The official description of the coach on the Parliamentary collection website says it was made for William III around 1698.
It includes iconography about
