Not only does the Queen own the second most expensive car across the globe, a £10 million Bentley limousine, but she boasts two of them in her car collection.
The exclusive luxury cars are often a dream for many motor enthusiasts, but what makes the Queen’s two so special?
Well when it comes to the interior and all the fancy gadgets inside the vehicle, it could be giving James Bond a run for his money.
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The Queen’s Bentley comes second to the Sultan of Brunei’s gold-plated Rolls-Royce, with Her Royal Highness frequently spotted in her extravagant wheels of choice. We previously reported her rocking up to Edinburgh Waverley in a delightful visit for Scots in her splendid wagon.
Car manufacturer Bentley has previously said that both the Queen and the late Prince Phillip even had significant input in the design of the car, according to MyLondon.
One perk of being the Queen are the gifts you receive as she was gifted the two cars for her Golden Jubilee when she celebrated 50 years on the throne. For the interior, the Royals chose a high-end lambswool cloth for a comfortable seat covering.
The cars were also allegedly designed with the public in mind and consideration for them. For many people, the Royal car driving past might be their only glimpse of the Queen and so it was designed around a ‘panoramic glass house’ concept, giving great visibility of the 96-year-old to passersby.
The cars are more than 80cm longer than normal but also wider and higher enough that the Queen can literally walk in and out of the car without having to stoop, which will undoubtedly have been a great addition as her mobility became worse.
Other bespoke features include a mount point on the roof to allow for an illuminated coat-of-arms and a pennant, flashing blue lights are fitted inside the radiator grille and on the front bumper, allowing the car to move through traffic quickly when necessary.
The cars were literally made to fit the Queen perfectly, including her handbags. The rear seats were determined to the Queen’s height and there is a special stowage for the Queen’s bags, designed using the dimensions of her favourite ones.
It’s not just comfort that is of importance but also safety. Being such a prominent figure means the Queen is at risk of attack therefore the cars have been built to protect her from all eventualities.
The car’s bodywork and glass have been specially strengthened and the cabin is blast resistant, it can also be sealed air-tight in the case of a gas attack. Even the tyres have been reinforced with Kevlar to ensure the vehicle can be driven at speed in an emergency.
Given all these features, it’s no wonder the cars are the second most expensive in the world. All they’re missing is some gold-plating!
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