Duke’s hearse 16 years in making

THE Duke of Edinburgh’s project to custom-build his own Land Rover hearse spanned 16 years, with Philip requesting a repaint in military green and designing the open-top rear and special ‘stops’ to secure his coffin in place.

Philip’s modified Land Rover Defender TD5 130 chassis cab vehicle has been unveiled for the first time, days before his final farewell in St George’s Chapel.

The duke, who died aged 99 on Friday, made the final adjustments in 2019, the year he turned 98.

He began the long-lasting venture to create his own bespoke hearse in collaboration with Land Rover in 2003, the year he turned 82.

The polished sturdy, utilitarian vehicle, with its heavy duty wheels and angular structure, stands as a showcase for the duke’s practical nature, and his passion for functional design and engineering.

The Defender was made at Land Rover’s factory in Solihull in 2003 and Philip oversaw the modifications throughout the intervening years.

The duke, who served with distinction in the Second World War and held special associations with all the Armed Forces, requested that the original Belize Green bodywork be switched to Dark Bronze Green, a colour used for many military Land Rovers.

He also designed the open-top rear section where his coffin will rest, made to his exact specifications, including the rubber grips on silver metal pins known as the “stops” or “stoppers” which prevent the coffin from moving. Details on the vehicle include matching green hubs, a black front grille, a single cab and no registration plates.