03 Feb Platinum Jubilee: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Her Majesty’s £10m Motor
Her Majesty the Queen will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee this coming Sunday. It’s expected that she will be travelling in her Bentley Limousine across the jubilee weekend in true regal style.
In their latest research report looking at the cars belonging to 30 royals, Select Car Leasing found that the Queen’s £10m Bentley Limousines are the second most expensive in the world, second only to a gold-plated Rolls-Royce owned by the Sultan of Brunei.
1. Both the Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Designed Her State Car
Back in 2002 when the motor was presented to the Queen, Bentley released that both the Queen and late Duke of Edinburgh had significant input in designing the car. For the interior, the royal couple opted for a high-end lambswool cloth interior for a comfortable seat covering.
2. The Queen was gifted the state car in celebration of her Golden jubilee
In celebration of 50 years on the throne, Bentley was gifted the 2 Bentley State Limousines. Both cars are kept in the Royal Mews and are used on official engagements, most recently was the late Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral in which carried the Duke’s coffin.
3. It’s one of the rarest motor models in the world
The Bentley limousine has become a prized possession in the Royal vehicle armoury. It’s clear to see why, too, as the Bentley State Limousine’s created for the queen are the only two available in the world.
Bentley’s long-standing connection with the Royal Family and the British brand even meant that the British brand promised the Queen the first-ever Bentley Bentayga model when it launched in 2015.
4. The car’s flags depict whether the Queen is travelling in the cabin or not
If you’re lucky enough to spot the royal Bentley, the flags onboard the bonnet depict whether the queen is travelling within the cabin. The traditional “flying B” is replaced with her mascot of St George slaying the dragon, or a lion if she’s in Scotland.
The car is always escorted by marked and unmarked Royal Protection Squad vehicles, well as local police vehicles and motorcycle riders.
5. The car comes with security features fit for a Queen
If a car is to be deemed a state car, it must be 100 per cent safe from any outside threat. The cabin in this limousine is air-tight to ensure the Queen is properly protected against the threat of gas attacks or any explosions.
The car travels on Kevlar-reinforced tyres to make sure the car can travel to safety if her tyres were to run flat in an altercation.
