When a member of the Royal House dies, their coffin may be borne in procession in the state funeral carriage from The Hague to the Nieuwe Kerk in Delft on the day of their interment, if the funeral service and interment are to take place there.
Construction of the state funeral carriage
The undercarriage comes from a Coupé d’Orsay carriage acquired by the Royal House in 1871. In 1886 the body of the coupé was remodelled at the instruction of Queen Emma, leaving the undercarriage intact. In 1920 Queen Wilhelmina had the body of the coupé replaced with a wooden bier, transforming the carriage into a hearse. When Emma the Queen Mother was interred, the hearse was draped in black. On the occasion of Prince Hendrik’s interment, the hearse was draped in white, just as it was later, for Queen Wilhelmina’s funeral. In 1993, Queen Beatrix had the carriage remodelled once more. Its colour is now grey, and it has a box for a single coachman. A wooden bier supports the upper bodywork. The carriage is upholstered in purple cloth trimmed with a silver galloon. In the event of its use, the gold royal crown from the Glass Coach is affixed to the roof.
The renovated carriage was used for the interments of Prince Claus and, shortly afterwards, Queen Juliana. It is drawn by six or eight horses.
Flower carriage
A brake (a type of open-topped carriage) adorned with wreaths and bouquets follows the state funeral carriage in the procession. Its pyramid-shaped structure is draped with purple cloth trimmed with a silver galloon.