Top five: cars owned by the Royal family
As we celebrate King’s Birthday weekend, we‘re recalling some of the most memorable cars owned by the Royal family.
When one has to drive oneself from one’s palace to one’s castle, one luckily has a fleet of vehicles to use.
The British Royal family is known to support British brands but Princess Diana was the first Royal not to own a British car when she bought a Mercedes-Benz SL. One was not amused by this.
The late Her Majesty the Queen was a driver and mechanic for the Auxiliary Territorial Service during WWII, so was handy behind the wheel, and under the bonnet.
We’ve searched for some of the best cars the British Royal family has driven or owned.
Here are the top five:
Princess Diana – Jaguar XJ-SC
The Jaguar was adapted so the little princes could sit in the back. Photo: MotoringResearch.com
The 1987 Jaguar XJ-SC is propelled by a 3.6-litre Jaguar straight-six engine and is a convertible model that has a non-removable centre. Princess Diana used the XJ-SC from 1987 to 1991 when she gave it up for her charity. The original XJ-SCs were two-seaters but it was fitted with two rear seats to provide room for the young Princes William and Harry when they traveled with their mother and her bodyguard.
Prince Harry And Meghan – Jaguar E-Type
Those were the days, when Prince Harry and Meghan were a: liked, b: in the UK c: working Photo: Hotcars.com
This 1968 Jaguar E–Type was originally manufactured with an XK engine but was later transformed into an electric-powered vehicle. Prince Harry and Meghan drove it following their wedding in August 2018 at Windsor Castle. The concept car was so popular due to the publicity of the royal wedding that Jaguar decided to create more of these bespoke electric cars. Though I don’t think an order from an H and M Sussex would be welcomed any more.
Prince William – Range Rover Vogue SE
Prince William picks up his latest royal baby in his Range Rover. Photo: MotoringResearch.com
The Range Rover Vogue SE is known for its luxury and status, and I’m sure the car parks at British polo matches are lined with them. The Vogue SE was used by Prince William to escort his newborn princes and princess back from the maternity hospital. Now the royal children are often spotted having a picnic in the back of the Range Rover or Daddy’s Audi A6 wagon as yes, Prince William plays polo. Cucumber sandwich anyone?
King Charles – Aston Martin Vantage V8
Prince William, a young Prince Harry and his nanny head out in the Aston. Photo: Readersdigest.ca
Aston Martin has been responsible for manufacturing some of the Royal cars from 1982 to 2019, with the Prince of Wales patron of the luxury manufacturer. King Charles's collection of Aston Martins includes this 1989 Aston Martin Vantage V8. And yes, that is Prince Harry in the back – but why isn’t he sitting down and wearing a seatbelt?
The Late Queen Elizabeth – 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan Limousine
We can see Her Majesty sitting in the back of this limo. Photo: Youtube
Ah, I gotcha there didn’t I! You thought it would be a Rolls-Royce, a Rolls-Royce, or maybe a Rolls-Royce. Nope, the Lincoln Cosmopolitan is one of the few American cars owned by Queen Elizabeth II. The car was produced between 1949 and 1954 in Michigan, US while the 1950 'presidential car' was commissioned by the White House and 10 were built to be used as official State vehicles. The cars were modified to accommodate extra headroom for a hat. Or crown. It is not known how Queen Elizabeth II managed to get one – but it would not have been advisable to say no to her.