Sociable (carriage)

King George V and Queen Mary riding in the 'Balmoral' Sociable, July 1930.

A sociable (short for sociable coach) or barouche-sociable is an open, four-wheeled carriage described as a cross between a barouche and a victoria, having two double seats facing each other. It might be controlled from the interior by an owner-driver or have a box for a coachman. A pair of folding hoods protect the passengers. The carriage is drawn by either a single horse in shafts or a matching pair in pole harness.

The Balmoral Sociable is a carriage of the Royal Mews (so named because its interior is lined with Balmoral tartan); it is still used on occasion.^[1] The 2008 wedding of Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly included a short ride in the Balmoral Sociable.^[2]

See also

• Barouche

References

1. "Royal marries in Windsor wedding". 17 May 2008 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
2. Perry, Simon (February 12, 2018). "Why Meghan and Harry Are Unlikely to Use the Same Horse-Drawn Wedding Carriage as William and Kate". People magazine.

External links

• Seabrook Coaching Stable Dispersal Auction: Sociable or Double Victoria Carriage Association of America (official site); illustrated.

Sources

• Discovering Horse-drawn Vehicles, D. J. Smith, Shire Publications 1994