Australian master coach builder Jim Frecklington MVO OAM FAIHA, with the coach he made for King Charles 111, at his Manly, workshop. Picture: Arthur Edwards
Jim Frecklington, the well-known Australian monarchist and maker of royal carriages, is selling his long-held apartment on Manly harbour for $2.6m.
The royal coach maker completed the ornate Australian State Coach in 1988 – which was a Bicentennial gift from the nation – and which was used for the wedding procession of William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine in 2011.
Then he created the six horse-drawn carriage known as the Diamond Jubilee State Coach which contains 100 pieces of history dating back almost 1000 years and which was used to take King Charles and Queen Camilla to their coronation in 2023.
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Queen Elizabeth with the ornate Australian State Coach in 1988.
The view from Jim’s apartment, now up for sale.
He is currently nearing completion of another horse-drawn gold carriage, the three tonne King’s Coach, which is being constructed on Sydney’s northern beaches.
Jim grew up outside of Dubbo, travelled to England in the early 1970s to work with the Duke of Edinburgh’s horses at Windsor Castle before transferring to the Royal Stables at Buckingham Palace.
Queen Elizabeth later awarded him the Royal Victorian Order for his loyal service and craftsmanship, a personal honour to Jim.
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Singer Kamahl with his former wife, Sahodra, with the Royal Coach used in Prince William and Kate’s wedding, 2011, made in Manly by Jim Frecklington.
Sit down to dinner — and the view.
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The singer Kamahl is a huge fan of Jim Frecklington, and has been pictured next to some of his royal carriages over the years.
For the past 25 years Jim has lived in Manly in a three-bedroom top floor apartment overlooking Manly harbour.
He was attracted by the view and the abundance of light.
The apartment at 20/81 West Esplanade has an oversized wraparound balcony, an open-plan kitchen, two bedrooms with built-ins and a third bedroom or study.
There are no common walls, a full bathroom and a powder room, lift access and the apartment is the only one on the floor.
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Jim has owned the apartment, which has an oversized wraparound balcony, for 25 years.
The block has been a magnet for regional farmers as a holiday base.
Jim in 2005 with a royal carriage made for the late Queen. Picture: Simon Dean.
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The suburb that renting forgot
Susie O’Brien, of McGrath Manly, said the Elizabeth Towers apartment would suit downsizers, small families or investors wanting to let it out for short-term holidays.
“This particular block has been a magnet for regional farmers as a holiday base in Manly. Many original owners like Jim came from Forbes, Orange & Dubbo.
The private terrace is perfect for entertaining and long lunches and enjoys afternoon sun to lay out on a chaise lounge and read the paper while enjoying the beach and harbour views,” she said.
Sadly, there is no parking on title, not for a car or indeed a coach.
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