www.bahrainthismonth.com 50 May 2023 motoring It won’t surprise you to know that the UK has an entire fleet of royal cars, which are usually housed at the Royal Mews in Buckingham Palace unless stationed at other royal residences when required. However, did you know that King Charles III owns a vintage Aston Martin which runs on cheese? Now you do! Before we go into that, it’s important to understand that there are various categories which all vehicles encompassed by the Crown’s umbrella are separated into. The most important of these is State Cars, which are used for public engagements and on ceremonial occasions by the monarch or visiting heads of state. There are currently five of these: two Bentleys and three Rolls-Royces. Almost as important are the Royal Review Vehicles, which are modified cars designed for use at official parades and ceremonies, currently consisting of two Range Rovers. The prestige of these cars are noticeable by two important distinctions. Firstly, by their dual-toned exterior: the lower sections are painted in Royal Claret (a deep maroon), while the upper sections are painted Masons Black. Secondly, they don’t require registration plates, the only vehicles in the UK granted this exception alongside the State Hearse, first used last year for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The third and final class is the Semi-State Cars, which do have plates and are used for less formal situations and general support. These currently consist of a pair of 2012 Jaguar XJ Limousines and three 1992 Daimler DS420 Limousines. Of course, there is a whole array of other vehicles, used for security convoys, logistics, transporting larger numbers and a plethora of other reasons, which are used as and when needed. Of course, whilst these cars are used for public events and pageantry, it’s the royal family’s private collection which turns most heads. No nation with the UK’s historical background and global diplomatic reach could fail to have built up quite the showcase, especially considering its figureheads have long been petrolheads themselves! Indeed, the first royal motorist was King Edward VII, who in June 1900 (whilst still Prince of Wales), took delivery of his first car, a 6bhp Daimler Mail Phaeton. The future king continued to be an enthusiastic promoter of ‘horseless carriages’, and following his accession to the throne in 1901 he awarded Daimler, Britain’s first automotive manufacturer, his royal warrant. The Royal Mews, previously used explicitly for horses and carriages, was converted into a garage for the motor cars and Edward ordered another new Daimler: a 22bhp ‘touring carriage’ to be used for travelling in both in the UK and mainland Europe. The first time a motor car was used by the King for an official engagement was on October 19, 1904, when he was driven to and from Woolwich Garrison in a 36bhp Daimler with a limousine body. With the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III taking place this month, Kristian Harrison takes a look at the storied history of the British monarchy’s love affair with cars and takes a peek into the many garages of the new sovereign. Motoring with the Monarchy
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