Historic RCMP 19th-century carriage carrying King and Queen to make debut during royal visit

A new Canada State Landau built in the 1800s will be used during the royal visit to Ottawa. CTV’s Austin Lee speaks on its special significance.

A historic and meticulously restored box-driven landau from the RCMP ceremonial fleet will make its debut during this week’s royal visit to Ottawa.

On Tuesday, King Charles III and Queen Camilla will travel down Wellington Street inside a carriage traditionally used for ceremonial escorts before the King delivers the throne speech to open the 45th session of Parliament.

It’s the first time this landau will be used by the RCMP. The carriage was built in the 1800s but was discovered in a dilapidated state in St. Isidore, Que. before a Quebec man decided to refurbish it and donate it to the RCMP Musical Ride.

“It’s actually miraculous that this gentleman was able to get it to what it is now. He wanted the carriage to continue to have a story, a life to it,” said RCMP riding master Sgt. Maj. Scott Williamson.

It’s a momentous occasion for the police force, which has a deep connection to the Royal Family. In 1904, King Edward VII award the title Royal to the North-West Mounted Police.

Third-generation police officer Sgt. Jeremy Dawson will be driving the 20-drawn horses through the procession, an honour that comes with several weeks of significant preparations and rehearsals.

“The riders are ready for this moment. It’s a historical moment, so having all that stress put on your shoulders and to be the coachman of this duty, to be the one to bring His and Her Majesty and excellencies to their location, it’s a huge honour,” Dawson said.

Dawson reflected on his family’s legacy in the police and the impact the Musical Ride has had on his life. He hopes it can leave a mark on his seven-year-old daughter Lily.

“To have that experience and to know that I’m creating those memories for my loved ones, for my family. That’s what comes into these roles. It’s quite a special day,” he said.

Officers likened the work to ensure the safety and efficiency of the procession as akin to preparing for the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Musical Ride was already getting ready for its annual tour of up to 50 communities across Canada before it got the call only weeks before that it had to prepare for a two-day visit from the King and Queen.

“A little change of the plans but we adapt and that’s what we do best. We adapt and we try to deliver a safe route,” said RCMP superintendent Sebastien Brillon.

Brillon says the landau represents an inspiring show of national unity.

“Especially in the geopolitical state that we live in now, this is an amazing story showing the unity of Canadians,” he said.

“From someone in Quebec to find this, to have the passion of refurbishing it, to thinking about gifting it for the RCMP, for me, this is a textbook unity story that we should be carrying on in the future.”

Williamson hopes it can become a symbol of pride.

“I hope there’s a sense of pride Canadians will see, but more than anything, what I really want them to see is the excellence, the precision that we’re going to execute… that teamwork that we put in its not only a reflection of the equitation branch. It’s really a reflection of every single Mountie across the country,” he said.

“We’re going to do everyone proud.”