State and royal cars of the United Kingdom

Queen Elizabeth II riding in her No.1 State Car, a 2002 Bentley State Limousine, during a visit to the Epsom Derby in 2015.

State and royal cars of the United Kingdom are kept at the Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace (and at other royal residences as required). A distinction is kept between the State Cars and other vehicles.

The State Cars are used for public engagements and on ceremonial occasions by the Queen and those representing or supporting her as head of state. There are currently five State Cars: two Bentleys and three Rolls-Royces. They are sometimes used when the Queen is travelling abroad, and are also made available for heads of state visiting the UK,^[1] as well as for use by senior members of the Royal Family on official duties. As these are State vehicles they do not possess registration number plates.^[2]

There are also two State Royal Review Vehicles (open-top Range Rovers), designed for use at military or non-military parades and similar events. These, likewise, do not have number plates.

Other official vehicles kept at the Royal Mews include Jaguar and Daimler limousines (for less formal duties), Land Rovers, luggage brakes and minibuses. These do have number plates, as do the monarch's personal vehicles and those of other members of the royal family.

General description[]

The Queen's personal St George and the Dragon mascot, crafted for her by Edward Seago.

The state cars and official limousines are painted a deep maroon colour (known as 'royal claret') and black, and have fittings on the roof for a shield (displaying the royal arms or an equivalent emblem) and a flagpole (on which the Royal Standard, or another flag as appropriate, may be flown). One of these cars is usually on display at the Royal Mews, where a wide range of state road vehicles (including horse-drawn carriages) are kept and maintained. The State Cars are numbered, with cars one and two being normally (but not exclusively) reserved for the use of the Queen.^[3]

When a state or official car carries the Queen her personal mascot, St George and the Dragon (or a lion when in Scotland) is mounted on the radiator cap or bonnet. A shield of the royal arms (or arms appropriate to the country where the car is being driven) is usually mounted on the roof, and for increased recognition the corresponding flag or Royal Standard may be flown. (At one time, use of the Standard was limited to 'major function[s] where there are troops, or the Streets are lined, or there is a Guard of Honour to be inspected',^[4] and the flag signified which car was to be saluted.) Since the 1950s back-lit shields have been provided for use at night. Some senior members of the Royal Family display their own shields; otherwise, a red shield with a crown is displayed if the car is carrying 'another Member of the Royal Family or someone representing the Queen', or is part of a royal procession.

The State and official vehicles are driven by royal chauffeurs, overseen by the Head Chauffeur and (as part of the Royal Mews Department) under the overall supervision of the Crown Equerry. The Queen is always driven by the Head, Deputy Head or Assistant Head Chauffeur;^[5] four 'first chauffeurs' are responsible for driving other members of the Royal Family, and general duties are undertaken by the six 'second chauffeurs'.^[3] The chauffeurs are also responsible for day-to-day care and maintenance of the motor vehicles.

State and royal cars in the 20th century[]

The history of royal motor cars in Britain goes back to the very beginning of the last century.

The Daimler era[]

For the first half of the 20th century, Daimlers were invariably chosen as the monarch's state cars (and the company also built vehicles for several other members of the Royal Family). During this period, royal cars were coachbuilt and, as far as the King's cars were concerned, Hooper & Co. were almost invariably employed (they already held Royal Warrants for carriage building dating from as early as 1830).^[6]

Edward VII[]

King Edward VII's 1900 six-horsepower Daimler Mail Phaeton, the earliest surviving royal car.

The first royal motorist was King Edward VII, who (when still Prince of Wales) took delivery of his first car, a 6 hp Daimler, in June 1900. Hooper & Co. built the body of the car, which is described as a mail phaeton. The future king continued to be an enthusiastic promoter of 'horseless carriages', and that same year he ordered two more vehicles from Daimler: a 12 hp wagonette and a 'beaters' car' (the latter with seating for up to fourteen passengers).^[6] Following his accession to the throne in 1901, he awarded Daimler his royal warrant, converted part of the Royal Mews into a garage for the motor cars and ordered another new Daimler: a 22 hp 'touring carriage' painted in 'dark claret with fine red lines'. The first time a motor car was used by the King for an official engagement was on 19 October 1904, when he was driven to and from Woolwich Garrison in a 28-36 hp Daimler with a limousine body, acquired a few month earlier.^[6]

The Prince of Wales (the future King George V) purchased an electric car in 1902, and a Daimler the following year (the first of many that he would acquire over the ensuing years). The Princess of Wales (the future Queen Mary) acquired her first Daimler in 1905, opting for a Mulliner-built body (Mulliner remained her coachbuilder of choice up until the accession of her husband five years later).

Edward VII died in 1910. Over the preceding decade he had owned ten Daimlers. He also had other cars: three Mercedes and a Renault landaulette; but on official occasions used a Daimler. One, a 1907 shooting brake, was (after it was given a registration plate) retained by his widow Queen Alexandra up until her death in 1925; she also used a 1910 57 hp Landaulette, which the late King had ordered but hadn't lived to see delivered.^[6]

George V[]

Daimler 57 hp Straight-Six former State Limousine, acquired by the King in 1910 and sold in 1924.

By the time of his coronation King George V had a working fleet of four cars kept at the Royal Mews, according to a contemporary report, along with a shooting brake and a lorry. The full fleet of cars stayed with the King at whichever royal residence he was using, usually being driven on the road to Windsor and Sandringham, but transported by rail to Balmoral. As Prince of Wales, George V had acquired an early sleeve valve Daimler in 1909: a 38 hp straight four limousine, and Queen Mary acquired a similar car the following year (which was painted dark green and used for private journeys); but the principal pre-war limousines were 57 hp straight-six-engined cars, which had a long wheelbase and seating for up to six passengers. In these (and subsequent) cars, King George and Queen Mary habitually occupied the middle pair of bucket seats on official occasions, so as to be better seen by onlookers as the car passed, while their equerries and ladies in waiting sat to the rear.^[6]

By the start of the First World War a number of conventions had emerged with regard to royal cars, several of which remain in place, including:

• the use of 'claret' livery for the royal cars
• the painting of a royal crest or badge on two or more door panels
• from 1911 the display of the royal arms on a shield and/or flag to improve recognition
• increased headroom (George V stipulated 60 inches from floor to ceiling), to make access easier for those wearing headwear (specifically 'a field marshal's hat with plume')
• the provision of interior electric lighting
• the convention that vehicles used personally by the monarch carried no registration plates (this latter exception did not extend to all vehicles owned by the monarch, only to those used by him personally).^[6]

From 1923, the King's vehicles were fitted with a blue light, 'placed in the centre over the driver's canopy' to signal the King's presence by night. On large State occasions (and for some less formal gatherings) additional cars were required; these were often provided by hire firms, including Daimler Hire Ltd in London and Rossleigh Ltd in Edinburgh.

One of George V's 1924 57 hp Daimler Shooting Brakes (later used by Queen Mary) now at Sandringham.

By 1924 the monarch's cars had been in 'constant service for upwards of 14 years' and a new set of Daimlers were ordered through Stratton-Instone (which had recently taken over Daimler's London showrooms): two limousines and two shooting brakes, all with the most up-to-date 57 hp straight-six engine. The following year Queen Mary had a new limousine delivered, with Hooper bodywork like the King's new cars but on a shorter ('45 hp') chassis.

George V's 1929 Daimler Double-Six 30 Brougham, at the Royal Motor Museum, Sandringham.

In 1926 the much-vaunted Daimler Double-Six sleeve-valve V12 engine was launched; the following year the King gave instructions for the two State limousines to have their straight-six engines removed and Double-Six '50' engines fitted. In November Queen Mary went a step further and traded in a 1913 45 hp car for a brand new Hooper-bodied Double-Six '30' (which, like its predecessor, was for private use: green-painted and decorated with her personal monogram). Two years later the King acquired his own Double-Six '30': a Brougham in royal claret (the term 'Brougham' indicated a car for private use, without the middle row of seats.)^[6] At the time, he was convalescing from illness and acquired in addition a six-wheel open-roof Crossley to enable him to resume shooting;^[7] it had coachwork by Barker & Co., was painted in royal claret and upholstered with waterproof blue leather.

In October 1930, in the midst of the Great Depression, it was announced that the King and Queen had placed an order for no fewer than five new Double-Six Daimlers as part of their desire 'to stimulate British industry, which is passing through difficult times' and to 'help unemployment during the winter months'.^[8] Delivered six months later were three 40-50 hp limousines (two to replace the 1924 No.1 and No.2 State Cars, one for the use of the Queen) and two 30-40 hp 'enclosed limousines', one for the King, the other (painted green) for the Queen. All five were fitted with Daimler's cutting-edge new fluid flywheel transmission system; the following year the two 1924 Shooting Brakes were retrofitted with the same assemblies. In 1934 one of the new limousines was used for the first time to convey the monarch to the State Opening of Parliament, excessive fog preventing the customary use of the Gold State Coach on this occasion.^[6]

Queen Mary's 1935 Daimler Double-Six Limousine, used by her up until her death in 1953; now in the Coventry Transport Museum.

In April 1935, to mark the King's Silver Jubilee, a new State Car, a bespoke Double-Six 40/50 hp Enclosed Limousine, was purchased for the King. A few months later a virtually identical car was purchased for the Queen; this replaced her 1931 40-50 hp limousine, and she transferred her number plate (XE 7432) to the new car from the old.

Six months later King George V died. The Mews at that time is said to have housed ten Daimlers: five State limousines, the King's 'private Brougham', the Queen's two cars (her limousine and her personal car) and a pair of 'Household cars'.^[9] George V was succeeded by his eldest son, who assumed the regnal name Edward VIII.

Edward VIII[]

Edward, as Prince of Wales, had driven a variety of cars, from Rolls-Royce Phantoms to a streamlined Burney. As well as inheriting his father's Silver Jubilee Car, which retained its position as No.1 State Limousine, he introduced a Humber Pullman into the Royal Mews. He also took delivery of a new 32 hp 4½-litre Daimler Straight-Eight limousine, to serve as his No.2 State Car; (it was bought in part-exchange for the late King's 1931 30-40 hp limousine). In addition, two Household cars and a Leyland Lioness lorry were retained. For private use he owned two Buicks^[10] and he also brought in a pair of Ford 'station vans'. One of the 1931 40-50 hp limousines was transferred to Queen Mary, along with one of the 1924 Shooting Brakes; other vehicles were disposed of.^[6]

For a second time a State Daimler conveyed a King to the State Opening of Parliament, in November 1936 when Edward cancelled the carriage procession on account of heavy rain; a month later he was no longer King, and the accession of his brother was proclaimed.

George VI[]

George VI's 1937 Daimler V-4 Litre Shooting Brake at the Sandringham Royal Motor Museum.

King George VI was an aficionado of Lanchester cars. He had purchased a number in the 1920s and in the '30s, by which time the cars were being manufactured at the Daimler factory (the Lanchester Motor Company having been taken over by Daimler's parent company, BSA, in 1931). Before his father's death, he had placed an order for two straight-eight Daimlers, to be badged as Lanchesters: a limousine and a landaulette. Delivered in February 1936 (black painted and with registration plates JJ 4 and JJ 5), these were envisaged as formal vehicles for him as Duke of York; (he also took delivery of a car for personal use, a blue Lanchester 'Eighteen'). When he became King, the Lanchesters came with him to the Mews; but they retained their colour and plates and were used for informal occasions.

In the year of his coronation (1937) three new Daimler State cars were delivered to the King: a limousine, a landaulette and a shooting brake (all with 32 hp 4½-litre straight-eight engines).^[6] His mother Queen Mary also upgraded her fleet, acquiring two new cars: one for official use (a 32 hp 'Straight-Eight' limousine), and one for personal use (a 24 hp six-cylinder limousine, painted green). She also continued to make use of her 1935 limousine, and furthermore inherited her late husband's Silver Jubilee car (and with it 'Humphrey', his long-serving erstwhile chauffeur).

Before the outbreak of war, in February 1939, the King took delivery of another 4½-litre Straight-Eight landaulette; at His Majesty's own suggestion it had been fitted with a triplex glass roof panel to enable the King and Queen to be more clearly seen (an innovation which became standard on subsequent state cars). The 1937 landaulette was then given over to the Queen's use (though it was not separately registered). The following month a black Daimler DB18 2½-litre Coupe was acquired, for the King's personal use. Also in 1939, arrangements were made for the King's Lanchester landaulette and limousine to be replaced; both were exchanged for new models (which were again badged as Lanchesters, painted black like their predecessors and given number plates). By the time the second Lanchester was delivered the war was well underway, and the Palace made it clear that no further cars were to be commissioned while the conflict endured.

In September 1940 a number of cars were damaged during an air raid, when an anti-aircraft shell landed near the garage at the Mews. In 1941 it was decided by the War Office to provide the King with a pair of armoured Daimler limousines; the specially-constructed bodies were, as ever, built by Hooper. They remained the property of the War Office, and were registered as such.^[6]

At the end of the war the Royal Mews contained no fewer than seven 32 hp 4½-litre Straight-Eight cars: one dating from 1936, two from 1937, one from 1939, the two Lanchesters and the 1937 Shooting Brake (which was normally kept at Windsor Castle). There were also the King's personal cars (the Daimler coupe and the Lanchester 'Eighteen'), two 'Household' cars, three Ford utility vans and a Leyland Cub van. To supplement the official cars owned by the King and other members of the Royal Family, the Daimler Company retained its own 'Royal Stock' of cars which were routinely loaned to the Mews when needed for large official occasions or to cover events across different locations.^[6]

One of George VI's 1947 Daimler DE36 former State Landaulettes (now at the Coventry Transport Museum).

A process of replacement and renewal began after the war. In 1946 two new Daimler DE 36 Straight-Eight State Landaulettes were ordered to serve as the No.1 and No.2 State Cars; they were delivered the following year. In 1949 two more DE 36 State Landaulettes, almost identical in design, were acquired (replacing the 1937 and 1939 landaulettes, which were taken in part-exchange). These then became the new No.1 and No.2 State Cars, and the 1947 models were relegated to No.3 and No.4. Throughout his reign, the King had a preference for the landaulette car body style: unlike his parents, he and the Queen always sat in the rear seats on public occasions and lowering the hood enabled them to be seen.

The new State Daimlers were similar in many respects to five 'Straight-Eight' cars which had been purchased by the government of South Africa and used by the King and Queen on their 1946 royal tour there. In 1948 no fewer than twelve new Daimler limousines had been purchased by the governments of Australia and New Zealand in preparation for their royal tour scheduled for Spring 1949; but as the scheduled departure date drew near the King's health grew worse and the tour was cancelled. He died in 1952. The cars were retained, however, and would later be used by the King's daughter Elizabeth, who toured New Zealand and Australia as Queen in 1953-54, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Rolls-Royce era[]

Elizabeth II[]

When Elizabeth II came to the throne in 1952, she inherited four state cars: the two pairs of near-identical Daimler DE 36 state landaulettes (which had been acquired by her father, King George VI, in 1947 and 1949). The Queen herself already owned a 1950 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV, and after her accession this was repainted in royal claret and black and upgraded to serve as her No.1 State Car (it has remained in use as a State Car ever since).

Three of the Daimler landaulettes were retained as State Cars, and the fourth was transferred to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (and duly provided with a number plate NLT 2); at the same time she was given the two 1939 Lanchesters to serve as secondary vehicles. The Queen Mother was also making regular use of a Daimler 'Royal Stock' DE 36 Straight-Eight landaulette at this time, which she went on to purchase in 1954; it was duly re-registered (as NLT 6), decorated with her royal monogram, and served as her 'No.2 Royal Landaulette' through the rest of the decade. Furthermore, in 1955, she acquired a new Hooper-bodied Daimler DK400 limousine for personal use (NLT 1), which she continued to use until 1974.^[6]

1961 Rolls-Royce Phantom V State Limousine, in use as a State Car from 1961 to 2002, at Sandringham.

In the mid-1950s, potential state limousines were built speculatively: one by Rolls-Royce (a 1954 Phantom IV landaulette) and two by Daimler (a pair of 1955 DK400s); each company discreetly made it known that these vehicles were being kept available for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to use at any time.^[6] By the end of the decade the decision had been taken to sell the three Daimler state landaulettes. In their place the 1954 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV landaulette was purchased in 1959; but the 1955 Daimler DK400s were not. Instead, an order was placed for two new Rolls-Royce Phantom V limousines; these were duly delivered in 1960 and 1961. A novel design feature of these cars was their removeable rear covering, beneath which the roof was made of Perspex (allowing the occupants to be seen more clearly).^[11] Initially serving as No.1 and No.2 State Cars, they continued in use as state cars into the next millennium .^[12]

The Rolls-Royce Phantom VI State cars, dating from 1987 (left) and 1978.

For the rest of the twentieth century all the State Cars were Rolls-Royce Phantoms. In 1962 the Queen Mother likewise purchased a Rolls-Royce Phantom V (a landaulette) to serve as her No.1 car (registered NLT 6, later NLT 1), which she continued to use for the next four decades.

In March 1978 the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders presented the Queen with a car to mark her Silver Jubilee: a bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom VI limousine, with a raised roof for enhanced visibility. It served as her No.1 State Car from 1978 until 2002, ^[13] and remains part of the working fleet as of 2021.

In 1987, a second Phantom VI state limousine was purchased (a standard model to serve as No.4 State Car),^[3] whereupon the 1954 Phantom IV State Landaulette was retired from the working fleet and put on display in the royal motor museum at Sandringham House.

Other official vehicles[]

1953 Land Rover (State Royal Review Vehicle).

The Royal Mews had acquired its first Land Rover in 1949,^[6] since when the company has provided many different vehicles both for private and for official royal use. In 1953 a Series I Land Rover, custom designed with a rear platform for standing passengers, was acquired. Painted in royal claret, it was designated 'State I' and served as the first in a succession of State Royal Review Vehicles. It was used extensively during the six-month Coronation Tour of the Commonwealth, undertaken by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh that same year.^[14] A Series II Land Rover, built to a similar specification, was then acquired in 1958 (and designated 'State II' Royal Review Vehicle).^[15] In 1974 a bespoke Range Rover took over as 'State I', and the 1953 Land Rover was retired (though it retains the designation 'State IV'). Like all state vehicles for the use of the monarch, the State Royal Review Vehicles were not required to be registered and so do not have number plates.^[14]

1969 Austin Princess, on display at Sandringham.

The Royal Mews traditionally retained a small number of additional limousines, informally known as 'Household cars': often painted grey or black, these were used 'to convey Officers of His Majesty's Household on official duties which require a car' (according to a memorandum of 1931).^[6] In 1952, Daimler had offered to sell the Mews two of its 'Royal Stock' vehicles as replacement Household cars; however the Palace decided that the newly-launched Austin A135 Princess Long Wheelbase Limousine would be a suitable (and less expensive) replacement.^[6] The first two production models were purchased that same year,^[16] and registered (as NGN 1 and NGN 2). Later, the Crown Equerry mooted that these might be very suitable, 'especially if painted in the Royal colours', to be used as 'second cars' on official occasions, 'to carry those in waiting on Her Majesty' (a task usually undertaken at that time by a second State car). Further pairs of Princess limousines were acquired subsequently over the years, up to and including the last two cars to be produced (in 1969), which were kept aside by the company and purchased by the Royal Household in 1972. Painted in the royal colours of claret and black, these were used regularly by junior members of the Royal Family on official engagements.^[17]

In 1984 a Daimler DS420 limousine had been added to the royal fleet (it was often used by the Prince and Princess of Wales);^[18] a second DS420 was purchased in 1987, whereupon the two Princess limousines were retired. The following year a third Daimler DS420 was added to the fleet; this car remains in royal use, along with two more dating from 1992 (which were among the last of these limousines to be manufactured).^[19]

State and royal cars in the 21st century[]

The Bentley era[]

The Bentley State Limousines were commissioned as state cars for the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002.

Since 2002, on State occasions the Queen has usually travelled in one of two armoured Bentley State Limousines. The first was presented to the Queen by 'a consortium of British based automotive manufacturing and service companies' as a gift to mark her Golden Jubilee that year;^[20] the second was purchased. These custom-built vehicles are based on the Bentley Arnage floorplan, with a twin-turbocharged 6.75 litre V8 engine that produces 400 horsepower (300 kW) and 616 pound-feet (835 N⋅m) of torque, giving a maximum speed of 130 miles per hour (210 km/h). The state limousine is 3 feet (0.91 m) longer than a standard Bentley Arnage, 10 inches (250 mm) taller and 6 inches (150 mm) wider. It is equipped with broad rear-hinged doors that open almost 90 degrees. The car also has opaque rear window panels that can be removed to allow increased visibility when the occupant is attending a public event or installed for increased privacy when required.^[21][22]

Other state vehicles used by the royal family include the 1978 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Silver Jubilee car.

In addition to the Bentleys, three Rolls-Royce Phantom limousines continue to serve as state cars: the Rolls-Royce Phantom IV, which was purchased by Princess Elizabeth in 1950 and became a state car upon her accession to the throne as Queen Elizabeth II in 1952, and the two Rolls-Royce Phantom VI models: the 1978 Silver Jubilee car, and the standard model purchased in 1987.

The State Royal Review Vehicle is a bespoke 2015 Range Rover used for parades and other official rides; the queen and other members of the royal family can stand up in the back for good visibility. This is the latest in a series of Royal Review Vehicles to have been built for the Queen by Land Rover since 1953; it replaces a 2002 model which remains in use as the second royal review vehicle.^[23][24]

Other official vehicles[]

The official fleet is augmented by two stretched Jaguar XJ limousines (with number plates NGN 1 and NGN 2), acquired in 2012; and three Daimler DS420 limousines (also with number plates), acquired in 1988 and 1992. Used on less formal occasions (or as support vehicles on more formal occasions), these are all painted in claret and black and have fittings for a mascot, roof flag and shield.

On formal occasions, Charles, Prince of Wales is often seen in a claret and black 1962 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Landaulet (registration plate NLT 1), which he inherited from Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and later had converted with a fixed roof in place of the former open top.^[25]

Personal vehicles of the Queen and the royal family[]

The Queen's Edinburgh green 1971 Rover P5B saloon, on loan to the British Motor Museum, Gaydon.

For non-official journeys, the Queen will usually be driven in a dark green Bentley Mulsanne^[26] or in an armoured Jaguar XJ,^[27] similar to that used by the prime minister. This is escorted by the same vehicles as a state car. She also occasionally uses a Range Rover,^[28] particularly for visits to rural areas and events such as county shows.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh latterly owned a Land Rover Freelander^[29] and an LPG fuelled MetroCab, the last of which he used for trips around central London.^[30]

While official royal vehicles are painted 'claret and black', the personal vehicles of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have almost always been 'Edinburgh green', the family livery colour which they adopted at the time of their marriage in 1948.^[31]

The prince of Wales uses an armoured Bentley Turbo R, a Range Rover, a Jaguar XJ or an Audi A6. He also has an Aston Martin DB6 volante, and an Aston Martin V8 converted to run on biofuel made from surplus local white wine. His Jaguars, Audi and Range Rover use biodiesel made from recycled cooking oil.^[32]

Anne, Princess Royal owns a Bentley Continental Flying Spur which she uses for official and private engagements.^{[citation needed]}

The duke of York uses a 2008 Bentley Arnage with a personalised number plate with the letters 'AY03 DOY'.^[33]

Other members of the royal family are usually driven in Audi A6 or Range Rover models.

Retired vehicles on public display[]

The 1954 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV former State Landaulette at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

In the early 20th century it became established practice for old royal cars to be taken in part-exchange, either by the manufacturer or by Stratton-Instone, when a new car was delivered. Before these were sold on, they were routinely re-registered, repainted and had their royal insignia removed.^[6]

In 2002, with the arrival of the new Bentley state limousines, the two Rolls-Royce Phantom V state cars were retired. One of them was transferred to Sandringham (where it remains on public display). The other was transferred to Bentley, together with the 1954 Phantom IV State Landaulette. Both went on to form part of the company's 'heritage fleet':^[34] for a time they were kept on public display (the Phantom IV at the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation, Paulerspury, the Phantom V in the garage of HM Yacht Britannia), but both cars were auctioned off by the company in 2018.^[35]

The Historic Vehicle Collection of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust includes three former State Royal Review Vehicles: the 1953 and 1958 Land Rovers and the 1974 Range Rover; the collection also includes (or has on loan) a number of other cars currently or previously owned by the Queen or members of the Royal Family.^[15] Several of these are displayed by the Trust at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon.^[36]

The Royal Car Collection at Sandringham[]

A few ex-royal cars were retained by Daimler, rather than being sold on. After the Second World War the company had thoughts of setting up a museum and King George VI loaned another car with this purpose in mind (his father's 1914 Brougham, which was residing in a garage at York Cottage, Sandringham). The museum did not come to fruition, and in 1965 Daimler offered to return the car and to present three more to the King (including Edward VII's 1900 mail phaeton); these went on to form the basis of a motor museum, initially based at Buckingham Palace and then at Sandringham House.^[6] Other cars have since been loaned to the museum, or placed there following retirement from regular use, and today the Royal Car Collection contains a representative selection of vehicles dating from the early 1900s; it can be seen as part of the Sandringham Exhibition and Transport Museum, which is housed in the old Coach House and Stables complex on the estate, part of which also served as the royal garages.^[37]

See also[]

• Prime Ministerial Car
• Government Car Service

References[]