The Royal Family's official cars are led by two Bentley State Limousines, supported by older Rolls-Royce Phantoms, all painted in royal claret and black and running without number plates. Away from ceremonies, the royals have long preferred to drive themselves around in Land Rovers.

What cars does the Royal Family actually use?

There are really two royal fleets. The State fleet is kept at the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace and is used for official engagements and big occasions. The other is the everyday vehicles the family drive on their private estates, where muddy Land Rovers and Range Rovers have always been the favourites.

What makes the Bentley State Limousines special?

The two Bentley State Limousines were presented to Queen Elizabeth II in 2002 to mark her Golden Jubilee. They were designed for one main job: letting the public see the monarch.

That explains their unusual shape. The roofline is raised and the rear windows are large, so crowds get a clear view of whoever is sitting in the back. The rear doors are hinged at the back edge, known as coach doors, so passengers can step out upright instead of ducking out of a low car. Both cars are also armoured.

The monarch's personal mascot, a silver figure of St George slaying the dragon, can be moved from car to car. It is fitted to whichever state vehicle is in use that day.

Why don't royal state cars have number plates?

The monarch's official state cars are the only cars in the UK that do not need registration plates. They are recognised by their royal claret and black paintwork and, on official duties, a royal standard flying from the roof.

The late Queen was also the only person in Britain who could legally drive without a driving licence, because licences are issued in the name of the monarch. The reigning sovereign does not need one.

What about the royal Rolls-Royces?

Before the Bentleys arrived, Rolls-Royce did the heavy lifting. In 1950 the company built a Phantom IV for Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. Only 18 Phantom IVs were ever made, almost all for royalty and heads of state, which makes it one of the rarest cars Rolls-Royce has ever produced. A Phantom VI followed in 1977, presented for the Silver Jubilee.

Did the Queen really train as a mechanic?

Yes. In 1945 Princess Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service, where she trained as a driver and mechanic, learning to change wheels and service engines. She was the first female member of the Royal Family to serve as a full-time active member of the armed forces. Few monarchs could claim to know what was going on under the bonnet.

Why do the royals love Land Rovers?

The Queen's love of Land Rovers lasted her whole life. She was often photographed at the wheel of a Defender or Range Rover at Balmoral and Sandringham, headscarf on, driving herself. Land Rover also holds a Royal Warrant, which shows it supplies the Royal Household.

One story, later told by a former British ambassador, has the Queen offering a tour of Balmoral to Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in 1998. She drove the Land Rover herself, briskly, along narrow Scottish tracks while chatting away, much to her nervous passenger's surprise.

What car carried Prince Philip at his funeral?

Prince Philip took his love of Land Rovers further than anyone. He spent years helping to design a modified Land Rover Defender TD5 to carry his coffin, asking for an open back and a military green finish. It was used at his funeral at Windsor in 2021, painted in dark bronze green.

He kept driving into his late nineties, but after a crash in his Land Rover Freelander near Sandringham in January 2019, he gave up his driving licence.

Is there really a royal car that runs on wine?

There is. King Charles was given an Aston Martin DB6 Volante by his mother for his 21st birthday in 1969. In 2008 it was converted to run on bioethanol made from surplus English white wine and whey left over from cheesemaking.

The same car carried Prince William and Catherine away from Buckingham Palace after their wedding in 2011, decorated with balloons and a JU5T WED number plate.

A royal lesson for the rest of us

Royal cars are maintained with great care so they can keep running for decades. Most of us cannot say the same about our everyday runabouts. If yours has reached the end of the road, you can get an instant scrap car quote and have it recycled through our network of licensed recycling centres . No claret paint required.

Frequently asked questions

Does the King need a driving licence?

No. Driving licences in the UK are issued in the name of the monarch, so the reigning sovereign is not required to hold one.

Why don't the royal state cars have number plates?

The monarch's official state cars are the only vehicles in the UK that do not need registration plates. They are identified by their royal claret and black livery instead.

What vehicle was used at Prince Philip's funeral?

A modified Land Rover Defender TD5 that Prince Philip helped design himself. It had an open rear section for the coffin and was painted dark bronze green.