Land Rover: Fit For A Queen

Land Rover: Fit For A Queen

Today marks the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. However, this is no ordinary bank holiday. Her Majesty is celebrating 70 years of service - the longest reign ever served by a British Monarch. As one of the greatest British automotive brands, Land Rover’s heritage also dates back more than 70 years. What better time to examine the Queen’s preference for their luxury vehicles?

The Queen has been pictured at the wheel of countless Land Rovers over the years, acting as her chosen mode of transport for many ceremonial events. She is thought to have owned around 30 models, ranging from old-fashioned Series Land Rovers to the modern Defender.?

The most famous of these was the customised 2002 Defender built especially with tweaks fit for a Queen, including non-standard leather seats and a substantial V8 petrol engine.

Along with Jaguar, Land Rover is the only automotive manufacturer to be granted all three Royal Warrants from Her Majesty The Queen, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. Their favour for the brand was reflected most poignantly following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh who was transported by a specially adapted Land Rover Defender at his funeral. The Duke even had a hand in designing the military green Defender himself - a process that began many years before his death. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have also taken all three of their brood home from hospital in a Land Rover.

Land Rovers are quite clearly fit for a Queen. But why?

Evidently, the 4x4 factor fits in well with the Royal family's love of outdoor pursuits. However, the royal relationship with Land Rover extends back to 1948, when the Queen’s father King George VI was presented with the 100th production vehicle - an enviable marketing ploy providing Land Rover with exposure that money just can't buy. Land Rover has historically always been a car of the people, marketed as the ‘go anywhere’ option "for the farmer, the countryman and general industrial use", as stated in the first brochure ever published …

It goes without saying that the Range Rover remains one of Britain’s greatest contributions to the automotive world. The Queen’s personal Range Rover is of course bigger and better than the standard model. Her LWB - or long wheelbase - Landaulet is an elongated, open-top version of the iconic car used for state processions. This one-of-a-kind SUV is the fourth State Review vehicle that Land Rover has provided and has a SDC6 3.0-litre Turbo Hybrid engine under its bonnet. In pure electric mode, the royal vehicle can drive up to one mile using only electric power and boasts backwards-opening doors and an open-air top, enabling the Queen to wave at her subjects in style.

Fundamentally, Land Rover is an inclusive and timeless brand. Rarely will you find any other vehicle that is accepted everywhere. Perhaps just like us, the royals love Land Rover’s refined 4x4 performance, comfortable interior and responsive handling.

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