Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, who recently passed at the age of 96, was an avid motorist. Despite the monarchy being quite a conservative form of authority, the Queen wasn’t far from the automotive world’s progress. A book could be written about this part of her life, but we will try to briefly recall the main episodes of the monarch’s life behind the steering wheel. Some of the classic cars in the article under consideration can be purchased at fairly reasonable prices using online car auctions.
The Beginning
The first car in the Buckingham Palace garage appeared in 1900. The then Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, purchased a 6-hp Daimler with a phaeton body from Hooper & Co. Since then, the British company Daimler has become the official supplier of cars for the royal family. At the same time, vehicles of such British brands as Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Land Rover, and Jaguar were registered in the monarch garage.
Elizabeth II had an unique passion for cars at a young age. In 1945, the then 18-year-old Princess of York was enrolled in the Auxiliary Territorial Forces, namely the British Army Sanitary Service, where she trained as a driver and mechanic. The young princess got behind the wheel of an Austin K2/Y military truck, which was used for medical purposes. At the same time, the princess received a driver’s license.
However, the service in the army didn’t last long. The war ended, and in half a year, the princess was demobilized. Regardless, her passion for large and powerful machines has not disappeared since that time. In just four years, the first Land Rover appeared in the royal garage. The princess remembered the skills of driving a truck and used this vehicle more than once for her needs. Five years later, she bought the same car at her own expense. Since then, the Land Rover brand has remained a favorite for Elizabeth. Rumor has it that after the collapse of the English automotive industry, it was the Queen who did everything to find worthy investors for Land Rover.
A Fleet of Cars for Her Majesty
In the 2000s, Elizabeth II often drove an impressive SUV, the Land Rover Defender 110, with a diesel engine, which she loved more than other cars. It reminded her of her youth and service in the army. Although there were more respectable cars in the royal park. For example, the Range Rover, which the Queen has been driving almost every day. Along with that, her sons preferred the Land Rover Discovery model.
During her youth, Elizabeth liked to go out incognito. She used inconspicuous cars for this. One of them was a 1961 Vauxhall Cresta Friary Estate with a 90-hp 6-cylinder engine. At the same time, the Queen couldn’t resist and ordered the modernization of the vehicle at the body shop of the Friary of Basingstoke. She got rod holders installed in the trunk, which she used while fishing in the northeast of England.
Another incognito car was a 1971 Rover P5B. This car was equipped with a 3.5-liter engine that provided a capacity of 160 hp. Another popular car of Her Majesty was the Daimler V8 Super LWB, which appeared at Buckingham Palace in 2001. The Queen used it for more than three years. A modification unique to Elizabeth II included an armrest with a retractable bag holder; a cigarette lighter with a secret button that activated hidden neon lights so the proper services could easily find her in an emergency; and a walkie-talkie that allowed the Home Office and Downing Street to be contacted.
Interesting Facts
For the jubilee of the reign of Elizabeth II in 1977, the Royal House was presented with a Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, which served in Her Majesty’s garage for many decades. For example, this car took part in the solemn wedding ceremony of Prince William and Kate Middleton. However, the Queen made official visits in a Bentley State Limousine with a 6.75-liter V8 engine. She usually rode it with a driver. Independently, Elizabeth was repeatedly seen driving a luxurious Bentley Bentayga. We want to remind you that this is a car with a capacity of more than 600 hp!
The British press often mentions curiosities related to Elizabeth’s love of driving. For example, in 2003, she impressed King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia by offering him a ride. The Middle Eastern monarch was surprised because women were forbidden to sit behind the wheel in Saudi Arabia. When Elizabeth II pressed the gas pedal, the king was completely aghast. He didn’t expect such a lively manner of driving from the 77-year-old Queen.
At the age of 92, Elizabeth II decided not to drive on public roads anymore. This happened after her 97-year-old husband, Prince Philip, was involved in an accident. At the same time, nothing was holding her from driving, for example, around the grounds of Windsor Castle in a dark green Jaguar X-Type station wagon.
