The Royal Mews is to leave its historic home at Buckingham
Palace and relocate to Windsor, marking the most significant change
to the monarchy’s transport headquarters in two centuries.
According to the Sunday Times,
the move, long discussed privately within royal circles, reflects
the changing rhythm of royal life. Senior members of the Royal
Family now spend considerably less time in central London, and
Windsor has become a more practical hub for both daily logistics
and ceremonial planning. The shift is expected to take place over
the coming year, with staff, horses and equipment transferring to
new facilities near Windsor Castle.
The reorganisation coincides
with the appointment of Colonel Erica Bridge, 52, who will
become crown equerry this spring – the first woman ever to hold the
post. Her arrival is set to coincide with the Mews’ transition to
its new home, placing her at the forefront of a redesigned
operation that blends tradition with contemporary demands.
Colonel Bridge, currently serving as defence attaché in Rome,
was selected by the King and Queen following a formal interview
process. She will take over from Colonel Toby Browne, who steps
down after 15 years overseeing royal transport.
Her new role will put her in charge of a department responsible
for everything from organising state carriage processions to
supervising the royal fleet of cars and managing the training and
welfare of the Mews’ horses and specialist staff. Horses have long
played a central role in her life; away from military service she
has competed as an accomplished amateur jockey, winning the Grand
Military Gold Cup at Sandown Park in 2016, where Princess Anne
presented her with the trophy.
Although the timing of her appointment is notable, palace
officials stress that the relocation of the Royal Mews is driven by
practicalities rather than symbolism. With Buckingham Palace
undergoing a £369 million refurbishment, complete occupation is
unlikely for several years. Even once the work is completed, the
King and Queen are expected to continue living at Clarence House
when in London, using Buckingham Palace primarily as the monarch’s
official office and for major state events.
The refurbishment programme itself has brought thousands of
hours of work from more than 220 small and medium-sized businesses,
from stonemasons and plasterers to electricians, metalworkers and
art handlers. To mark Small Business Saturday, the Palace publicly
thanked those involved, noting that their work was helping ensure
the building would remain “fit for future generations”.
As the Royal Mews prepares for its new chapter in Windsor, the
combination of a landmark appointment and a logistical overhaul
signals a moment of understated modernisation within the Royal
Household – one in which centuries-old traditions are being
re-anchored to suit the realities of a reign increasingly centred
outside London.
