President Trump has requested a ride with Queen Elizabeth II in a gold-plated carriage during his visit to the United Kingdom this October, according to a report by The Times of London.
The tradition of world leaders taking a carriage ride along the mall from the Royal Mews to Buckingham Palace with the Queen is not entirely unusual.
The decision has not yet been confirmed, and aspects of Trump’s visit are still in flux.
While President Obama chose not to ride in such a carriage during his U.K. visit, other world leaders — including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Chinese President Xi Jinping — have taken such carriage rides during state visits.
Obama chose to use a bullet- and bomb-proof car during his visit. While the carriage is well protected by nearby security and has some protective features, security officials say it is more risky and more vulnerable than other options.
{mosads}“The vehicle which carries the president of the United States is a spectacular vehicle. It is designed to withstand a massive attack like a low-level rocket grenade. If he’s in that vehicle he is incredibly well protected and on top of that it can travel at enormous speed. If he is in a golden coach being dragged up the Mall by a couple of horses, the risk factor is dramatically increased,” a source told The Times.
“There may well be protections in that coach such as bulletproof glass, but they are limited. In particular it is very flimsy,” the source added. “It would not be able to put up much resistance in the face of a rocket propelled grenade or high-powered ammunition. Armor-piercing rounds would make a very bad show of things.”
London police officers are preparing for Trump’s October visit, expecting thousands to show up both in support and in protest against the U.S. president. It will be Trump’s first visit to the U.K. since being sworn in as president.