Regular newsletter readers will be familiar with the Duke of Edinburgh’s love of cars and, in particular, his admiration for a converted taxi which he often drove around London to blend in.
And his quirky love of motors didn’t stop there. His personalised, green, Land Rover carried his coffin at Saturday’s funeral and there was a host of other eye catching models too from Bentley, and of course, Rolls-Royce.
Land Rover Defender
Prince Philip’s Land Rover Defender TD5 130 was made at the company's Solihull factory back in 2003 and the duke only applied the finishing touches to the car at the ripe age of 98, having originally started work on the design when 82.
The utility vehicle was repainted in military green the open-top rear for his coffin was designed by the man himself. It’s even been widely reported that Prince Philip once quipped to the Queen about his future funeral: "Just stick me in the back of a Land Rover and drive me to Windsor."
Bentley
The Duke also had input on the vehicle which transported the Queen to the chapel, the State Bentley.
The car was presented to Her Majesty in 2002 to mark her Golden Jubilee, and the Queen and the duke offered "continual" input during the two years it took to build the car, according to the manufacturer.
The Bentley does not have number-plates as part of the ‘Royal prerogative’, her Majesty is the only person in the UK not required to have a plate, and, although she wasn’t at the wheel on this occasion, she’s the only person to not require a driving licence, too.
There are actually two of the cars, both kept in the Royal Mews near Buckingham Palace.
Rolls-Royce
Elsewhere, the family’s love of Rolls-Royce was apparent, with Prince Charles arriving in a Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, not too dissimilar to the below. The 6,230cc all-alloy engine limousine was first manufactured in 1969 and even has a cocktail cabinet into the rear compartment’s cabinetwork alongside a full leather upholstery.
Prince William arrived in a Rolls, too, although he opted for a Phantom V, an infamous model which drew great publicity when John Lennon opted for a yellow submarine design on his.
