Blog : What Cars Has Queen Elizabeth Driven During Her Reign?
As the Queen celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, we take a look through the archives at all the cars she's driven. Some she's loved, some not so much...
1945: Auxiliary Territorial Service Ambulance
In 1945, The Queen (then Princess Elizabeth), aged 18, joined the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service as an honorary second subaltern. She trained as a driver and mechanic, and is pictured here beside a military ambulance.
1954: Land Rover Series 1
The Queen is thought to have owned around 30 Land Rovers over the course of her reign, ranging from old-fashioned Series Land Rover up to the modern Defender.
1950s: Daimler Empress MKII
Complete with fold-down walnut tables and throne-like seats, the Daimler was one of her first cars after becoming Queen. Daimler was long established as a royal favourite by the 1950s.
1954: Lagonda 3-litre Drophead Coupe
After the Coronation, Prince Philip upgraded to an open-roof Lagonda, which is one of only 20 MkI examples fitted with an electric hood. The 104-mph car was used by the royal couple to officially open the M1 motorway in 1959.
1955: Rolls-Royce Phantom IV State Landaulette
Only 18 examples were made. As well as a roof-mounting point for the Royal Standard, a perspex panel above the rear let extra light into the cabin.
1960: Rolls-Royce Phantom V State Limousine
Owners of this quintessential British limousine include the Shah of Iran, Elvis Presley and John Lennon. The Queen bought two in 1960 and 1961 and were used until the new millennium.
1961: Vauxhall Cresta Friary Estate
The Queen had her Friary Estate custom specified to suit her outdoorsy lifestyle, with bespoke modifications that included fishing rod holders built into the roof, a dog guard for the corgis and a gun rack, as well as custom Imperial Green paintwork.
1963-71: Rover P5 and Rover PB5
The Queen owned a few P5B’s. The Rover P5 is a classic British car, but the P5B saw a power boost by a new Buick-supplied Rover V8 engine (as opposed to the six-cylinder unts in the earlier P5’s).
1977: Rolls-Royce Phantom VI – 1977
Presented to The Queen in 1977 for her Silver Jubilee. The car still resides in the Royal household and was used in 2011 for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.
1978: Land Rover Series III
This car connected the Queen's open-top passenger compartment at the rear to the chauffeur using a traffic-light system. It alerted the driver when to slow or stop.
1984: Daimler Double Six LWB
The Queen got this delivered in October 1984 as a personal car. It was painted in a bespoke hue called Gavin Green and trimmed with a unique doe-skin interior.
2002: Bentley State Limousine
Historically the Royals preferred Rolls-Royces for transport on formal occasions in the 20th century, but in the 21st the ‘Spirit Of Ecstasy’ was usurped by Bentley. Safety, of course, is paramount and we’re not just talking airbags: it’s armoured and blast-resistant and rides on Kevlar-reinforced tyres, yet still manages a top speed of 130mph. This car is reportedly valued at £10 million.
Land Rover Defender 110
Queen Elizabeth II's relationship with Land Rover extends back to 1948, when her father King George VI, was presented with the 100th production vehicle. Used extensively for shooting parties, it’s said that Her Majesty’s favourite is the 2002 Defender 110 featuring raised suspension and heated seats.
2009: Jaguar X-Type Estate
When in residence at Windsor Castle, in Berkshire, the Monarch would enjoy driving herself to church along the Long Walk which runs through Windsor Great Park.
2015: Range Rover LWB Landaulet
The Landaulet is a stretched, open-top version of the iconic car used for state processions and any occasion on which the Queen wants to wave at her subjects.
2017: Bentley Bentayga
Her Majesty was the first person to take delivery of this luxury SUV. At the time, it was the fastest SUV in the world.
2022: Range Rover
Making its first outing for the beginning of the Jubilee celebrations, the Queen's newest addition, the New Range Rover.
1760: Gold State Coach
Comissioned in 1760 during the reign of King George III, the Gold State Coach only gets wheeled out occasionally. At 7.3m long and 3.7m high, it’s as big as a truck. It’s also apparently very uncomfortable thanks to it’s crude leather suspension. The Queen has stated that she dislikes riding in it.
