Sydney craftsman’s legacy as new royal carriage nears completion
A Sydney craftsman who built royal coaches for the late Queen Elizabeth II has left behind one final masterpiece after his death.
Jim Frecklington died last month before he could complete the three-tonne Commonwealth Royal Coach for King Charles.
Jim Frecklington, who built royal coaches for the late Queen Elizabeth II, died last month, leaving behind one final masterpiece. Janie Barrett/Nine
The three-tonne royal coach is Frecklington's last work after a distinguished career making the finest world transport.
Now in an old warehouse on the northern beaches, it’s nearing completion without its maker, under the watchful eye of coach maker Owen Webb.
"Completion is really close," Webb told 9News.
All the coaches have been special, since the first one in 1988, which was given as a gift from the people of Australia for the bicentenary and incorporated modern amenities like heating and hydraulic stabilisation.
“Jim was very close to the Queen, and she used to ride in some of the older carriages. She’d say, ‘I hate riding that carriage. I get, I get almost seasick in it’,” Webb said.
The three-tonne Commonwealth Royal Coach is Frecklington’s last work after a distinguished career making the finest world transport. 9News
There’s plenty of royal history on the carriage, in addition to it being the first with King Charles’ cypher ‘CRIII’ on it. 9News
"So Jim got this absolute idea to build perfect carriages."
A decade ago, Frecklington began working on his last masterpiece – his biggest ever coach, but also the safest – overseeing every detail.
He ensured Australia is represented on it, creating the footman's handles using pieces taken from the refurbishment of the Opera House.
There’s plenty of royal history on the carriage, in addition to it being the first with King Charles’ cypher ‘CRIII’ on it.
"Every monarch since 1066 has been hand painted and then set into the timber," Webb explained.
Jim Frecklington made the Queen’s first royal coach in 1988 as a gift from the Australian people for the bicentenary (Pictured in August 2006) Nine/Domino Postiglione
Frecklington had hoped to deliver the carriage himself to the King but passed away just weeks before it was completed.
When the coach is finally presented to his majesty in coming months, Frecklington’s colleagues say it will cement his royal legacy and also be the end of an era.
“There is no other royal coach makers that I’m aware of anywhere in the world,” Webb said.
“It was a total labour of love for Jim. I think it’ll be seen for the next 100 years being used in coronations, state visits.”
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
