World's 'last coachmaker' dies before delivering final work to king

Jim Frecklington OAM, the world's last royal coachmaker, has passed away before completing his final masterpiece for King Charles III. Frecklington, a Sydney-based craftsman, spent over 50 years perfecting his art, crafting two historic horse-drawn carriages for the British royal family. His latest project, the Commonwealth Royal Coach, is a grand tribute to more than a millennium of British monarchy.

The 76-year-old died in an aged care facility in Manly after a prolonged struggle with cancer. Despite his terminal diagnosis, Frecklington remained optimistic that he could personally oversee the delivery of the completed coach. Weighing more than 3 tonnes, the coach is adorned with hand-applied gold leaf, timber from Westminster Abbey, and boasts modern amenities like electric windows and air conditioning.

Frecklington's legacy extends beyond his unfinished masterpiece, as his contributions to the British monarchy have been hailed as transformative. The Australian-born craftsman, who developed his passion for coachmaking at the age of eight, has left an indelible mark on the pageantry of royal ceremonies.