The state and royal cars of the United Kingdom are a fascinating fleet of vehicles, cared for and maintained by royal chauffeurs and under the supervision of the Crown Equerry. Royal motor cars have been used in Britain since the early 20th century, when Daimler Motor Company established itself as the nation’s first manufacturer.
King Edward VII was the first member of the Royal Family to take on a royal vehicle in 1900. When he ascended to the throne the following year, he converted part of the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace (one of the most spectacular royal palaces to visit) into a garage for his motor cars. In 1904, he became the first person to use a motor car for an official royal engagement.
Since then, the royal car fleet has evolved to reflect manufacturing trends and monarchs’ tastes and preferences.
Did you know? The Royal Family used to have a Royal Train, but this is due to be decommissioned in 2027.
What are the features of the British Royal Family’s cars?
Unsurprisingly, all state cars have been adapted with additional safety features.
As state cars are used for public engagements, they all tend to have raised roofs, bright interior illumination and large windows and sunroofs, which allow the public to have better visibility of the monarch or their representatives. They also have fittings on the roof for a flag or shield, if needed.
All royal cars are painted in a dual-toned colour scheme, unique to the British Royal Family. Above the beltline, cars are painted in “Royal Claret”, a deep wine colour, and below the beltline they are painted “Mason’s Black”. A mascot may be added to the bonnet of the Royal Family’s cars, which differ depending on the vehicle’s location.
What are the mascots found on royal cars?
St George and the Dragon is found on the monarch’s car in England, a lion is displayed in Scotland, and Britannia is also sometimes used, as this was a mascot used by several former monarchs.
If the car is not being used on official state business, the original manufacturer’s badge or mascot will be used instead.
What are the UK’s state cars?
State cars are used by the monarch or senior members of the Royal Family who may be representing the monarch for public engagements and on ceremonial occasions. They don’t display registration plates, and can be used abroad as well as in the UK.
What brand are the state cars?
There are currently five state cars in use: two Bentleys and three Rolls-Royces.
There are also a selection of “state royal review vehicles”, which are modified cars designed to carry standing passengers. These are predominantly used at official ceremonies, where members of the Royal Family require increased visibility. The current state royal review vehicle is a 2015 Range Rover Hybrid.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, a state hearse was added to the fleet of royal cars.
What are the other royal cars?
As well as the five state cars, there is an additional fleet of vehicles used by the Royal Family. Semi-state cars are those you’ll see used by the Royal Family in their day-to-day lives. These are currently a pair of 2012 Jaguar XJ limousines and three 2022 Range Rovers. Unlike the state cars, these cars display registration plates.
There is also an additional fleet of Land Rovers and Range Rovers.
Where are the royal cars kept?
The UK’s state and royal cars are kept and maintained at the Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace, or at other royal residences as required.
Why do the Royal Family use Range Rovers, Bentleys and Rolls-Royces?
These car brands have held Royal Warrants, prestigious marks of recognition that reflect companies who have supplied goods or services to the British Royal Household for at least five years.
All these brands are either British companies or based in the UK.
Who drives the royal cars?
The Royal Family’s official vehicles are driven by royal chauffeurs. The monarch is always driven by the head, deputy head or assistant head chauffeur, while several ‘first chauffeurs’ are responsible for driving other members of the Royal Family. ‘Second chauffeurs’ look after the day-to-day duties.
What about the Royal Family’s personal cars?
Royal Family members may also have their own personal cars for solo engagements. King Charles III is believed to have a Jaguar XJ and a range of low and zero-emissions vehicles; an Aston Martin DB6 Volante, which runs on E85 fuel; and an all-electric Jaguar I-Pace. Queen Camilla drives an Audi A8L.
What were Queen Elizabeth II’s cars?
When she married the Duke of Edinburgh in 1948, Queen Elizabeth II – then Princess Elizabeth – was presented with a Daimler DE 27 limousine as a wedding present. Several years later, they took delivery of a 1950 Rolls-Royce Phantom V, which marked the segue from Daimler to Rolls-Royce as the preferred manufacturer of royal vehicles.
When she ascended to the throne in 1952, Elizabeth II inherited four state cars from her father: four Daimler DE 36 state landaulettes. But she preferred to use the Rolls-Royce Phantom IV as her primary state vehicle, so it was painted in the royal colours and had the number plates removed. By the end of the decade, she sold the remaining three Daimler cars, with Rolls-Royce Phantom V limousines taking their place. These had power steering and air conditioning systems, making them a better option for overseas tours.
In 1978, Elizabeth II was presented with a bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom VI limousine, with a raised roof for increased visibility. It served as her primary state car until 2002, and remained as part of the working fleet thereafter.
In 2002, the Queen acquired a new pair of armoured Bentley State Limousines as a gift to mark her Golden Jubilee. These became her primary and secondary state cars and remain in the fleet today.
Top image: Queen Elizabeth II in her official Rolls Royce car with Prince Philip waving to the crowds at the Braemar Games which they visited every year during their holiday at Balmoral (credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
