FIT FOR A QUEEN
The cars of Queen Elizabeth II
To her subjects in the United Kingdom and admirers around the world, Queen Elizabeth II was the embodiment of British resilience, discreetness, and faithfulness. For car lovers, what’s endearing about the Queen, who died on September 8, 2022, aged 96, is that she was one of us: an ardent fan of the motorcar.
Queen Elizabeth II worked as a driver and mechanic during World War II, as honorary junior commander in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, then the women’s branch of the British Army. This exposure to motor vehicles apparently nourished a strong love of cars in Queen Elizabeth. She continued to drive and delight in cars throughout her life.
Elizabeth and Price Philip are often cited as the OG and most prominent influencers for the quintessential British automotive brand, Land Rover. Land Rovers, now known as the Defender model, were used by the royal couple during their tour of the Commonwealth after her Coronation. The open-top 4x4s were ideal for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to stand up and greet the crowds. Prince Philip drove Barack and Michelle Obama in his personal Range Rover in Windsor in 2016. After Prince Philip rolled his Land Rover in 2019, escaping unhurt but injuring another motorist, he voluntary gave up his driver’s license.
The Queen (who does not need a license to drive) has also enjoyed driving Land Rovers. She drove King Abdullah, then crown price of Saudi Arabia, in 2003 around her estate in Balmoral, Scotland. Her fullspeed drive around the country roads may have alarmed the prince. Elizabeth has been photographed driving a car from Land Rover’s sister brand, Jaguar. She seems to have been fond of her Jaguar X-Type wagon. The X-Type, developed under then-owner Ford Motor Company, was a sales flop, but the Queen nevertheless seems to have cherished hers, keeping it until her final days.
Another of the Queen’s favorites is from the other car company that still holds a Royal Warrant, Vauxhaull. Vauxhall used be owned by General Motors until it was sold to Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Elizabeth was often photographed driving a 1961 Vauxhall Cresta wagon.
The Queen’s official vehicles were, expectedly, statelier. Rolls Royce supplied a Phantom VI for her Silver Jubilee (the 25th anniversary of her coronation) in 1978. Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles used this car for their civil wedding ceremony. The Queen’s other Rolls Royce, a Phantom IV State Laundaulette, was used by Kate Middleton for her wedding to Prince William in 2011.
In time for Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee, Bentley supplied two State Limousines. The Bentley State Limousines were used by the Queen and her family including her daughter, Princess Anne, mostly for official engagements.
The Bentley State Limousines are based on the Bentley Arnage. The cars were designed and modified with input from Prince Philip, the Queen’s Head Chauffer, and the Queen herself. For the Queen’s ease of ingress, the limousine’s rearhinged coach doors open nearly 90 degrees. Stretched by more than 80cm versus the standard Arnage, the State Limousine has a wide and large cabin, with a roof high enough for the Queen to enter and exit without having to bend. The rear seat was designed especially for the Queen with the help of a model with the same height as the Queen. There’s a special stowage bin for her favorite bags, and a flat floor to minimize any intrusion.
The rear seats are upholstered in lambswool produced by British textile manufacturer Hield Brothers. Other parts of the car are trimmed in Bentley’s light gray Connolly leather, with pale blue carpets are the rear and dark blue in front. Perched on top of the Bentley is an illuminated crest with the Queen’s mascot, St. George slaying the dragon.
Built by Bentley’s bespoke division Mulliner, the car had a “panoramic greenhouse” maximized to allow assembled crowds to easily see the Queen as she drove by. Security is also a main consideration for the vehicle. The cabins are blast-resistant, with strengthened glass and airtight-seal capability in case of an attack. The Queen, known to have military vehicles during wartime, will appreciate the Bentley’s traditional engine, the 6 and 3/4 liter V8 engine. This has been tuned to produce a very adequate 400hp and 835 Nm, for a rated top speed of 210 kph.
The Queen’s final journey was not in a Cadillac, but a Jaguar hearse specially built by coachbuilder Wilcox Limousines. Based on an XJ sedan, the hearse had a large glass rear compartment to maximize the visibility of the royal coffin. The state hearse was finished in royal claret paint, to match the other royal vehicles. The royal cypher and Saint George mascot were featured, as well as Jaguar’s trademark “growler” face and “leaper” badge. The Queen reportedly approved the final plans for the hearse’s design. Last year, fellow car-lover Prince Philip likewise took his final ride in a vehicle of his choosing, a customized Land Rover Defender.