Luxury Car Hire To Mark The Queen's Platinum Jubilee - Discover The Marques That Have Become Synonymous With The Royal Family
On the 6th February 2022, HRH The Queen became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. This marks 70 years of service to her people and country, and co-aligns with a host of celebratory activities going on up and down the country. At Starr Luxury Cars, it presents the ideal opportunity to take a look back – not necessarily on the achievements that The Queen has accomplished but rather at the vehicles that the Royal Family have celebrated throughout the years. Luxury car hire is something intrinsically linked to this family with the majority of their automotive fleet being leased in some capacity. There are some marques that lead the pack due to their luxury, exquisite comfort and signature design and we’ll explore those here today.
The 20th-century leader in luxury car manufacture – Rolls Royce
As iconic as British manufacturing itself, Rolls Royce has become synonymous with opulence and luxury. An abundance of hand crafted components and a limited number of vehicles have made them one of the most coveted options on the market. The Royal Family has owned several Rolls Royce’s throughout the years but perhaps none as iconic as the Phantom IV. Built between 1950 and 1956, there were only 18 ever produced and each one was built for specific buyers deemed to be worthy of the distinction.
The Rolls Royce Phantom IV State Landaulet is the rarest within their collection. Made in 1954, this unique vehicle was personalised in The Queen’s signature colours – claret and black. It was originally built to celebrate Rolls Royce’s Golden Jubilee and features both coachwork from Hooper & Co and a 5.7-litre engine for reliable power. In 2002, the vehicle was returned to Rolls Royce and auctioned off at the Bonhams Revival sale in 2018.
In 2018 and in line with the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a similar Phantom IV was chosen to collect the couple after the ceremony.
While the Rolls Royce Phantom IV remains one of history’s most limited and revered vehicles, hiring a Phantom VIII affords you a degree of its luxury. The eighth generation of the range, it has a highly immersive cockpit with an iconic outer body and details including handcrafted wood veneers and A-grade leather interiors.
The Queen’s favourite – Land Rover
The vehicle of choice for those venturing off-road, Land Rover has long held the favour of The Queen. The marque’s relationship with The Royal Family dates back some 70 years, resting on the assurance of quality, durability and signature style. In fact, it is reported that Her Majesty has over 30 models with her first State Review car in 1953 being a Land Rover Series 1. If you go further back in history, HRH King George VI was chosen to receive the 100th Land Rover ever produced in 1948 so the relationship has long been strengthened on every level.
Jaguar Land Rover is one of the only brands to hold three individual Royal Warrants. The ‘Manufacturers of Motor Vehicles’ honour has been granted by Her Majesty The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH The Prince of Wales.
Over the years, The Queen has been seen in a multitude of customised Land Rovers, including during the celebrations for her 2016 birthday. The customised Range Rover LMB Landaulet was fitted with rear opening doors and an open-top that allowed her to wave to the crowds. She is also said to be a big fan of Land Rover Discovery and Defender with other members of her family – including HRH The Duke of Cambridge and The Duchess of Cambridge who are regularly seen out with their three children in one.
The Land Rover Defender 90 and Range Rover Discovery are both available to rent today from our luxury car hire portfolio at Starr Luxury Cars. So feeling like a member of The Royal Family on your next trip needn’t be out of the imagination.
Vehicles built for Bond and The Royal Family – Aston Martin
A symbol of British luxury, Aston Martin has established itself as the vehicle of choice for everyone from charismatic spies through to HRH The Prince of Wales. A 21st birthday present from Her Majesty The Queen, the Seychelles Blue DB6 Volante has recently undergone a number of eco-friendly modifications to match the prince’s own sustainability focus. Instead of diesel, the vehicle now runs on a high blend of bioethanol made from cheese and wine wastes. While not sustainable for a wider audience, this fuel has received many accolades while the car itself continues to be a source of fun for The Prince.
For over 30 years, Aston Martin has held a Royal Warrant from The Prince and since then, many royals have been pictured beyond the wheel. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge memorably drove a DB6 MKII Vantage Volante after their formal wedding procedures. And the marque continues to be the vehicle of choice for excitement and thrills.
As noted by The Prince, Porsche cars bring a level of driving exhilaration that is unlike any other marque. Our expansive range of Porsche luxury cars for hire makes it easy to experience this yourself, whether that be behind the wheel of a Taycan Turbo S or a Panamera 4S.
Exuding luxury with a demanding presence – Bentley
When attending stately events, Her Majesty opts for limousines to guarantee the space and comfort needed for her and her guests. Within her fleet sits the Bentley Continental Flying Spur – an official state car created specifically for The Queen. With a twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V8 engine, it can travel at a maximum of 130mph while affording passengers extra space in height and width. As with all of her limousines, this model is finished in black and claret and boasts coach doors for easy access. The entire bodywork and glass frame has been armoured with an air-tight cabin and kevlar-reinforced tyres.
In 2013, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also followed suit, adding a Bentley Flying Spur to their garages. It was one of the first off the production line and gifted over 6 months before general release. The space inside provides ample room for their growing family with the security needed as protection during Royal engagements too.
The marque has been afforded two Royal Warrants, granted by Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Prince of Wales. While the Continental Flying Spur remains a dignitaries-only mode of transport, the Bentley Continental GT 2020 affords you a similar air of exquisite luxury. Steeped in British heritage and crafted with a sporty silhouette, this luxury car for hire has a customisable interior and offers the ideal haven for romantic weekends or corporate hospitality trips.
Discover Royal prestige car hire with Starr Luxury Cars
It’s no surprise that The Royal Family demand only the very best from the vehicles they use – both for pleasure and formal engagements. While many vehicles in their garages are limited-edition or customised to meet their requirements, luxury car hire allows you to experience what makes some of these iconic marques so cherished. Whether you’re looking for the undeniable comfort that comes from a Bentley, the thrill from an Aston Martin or the off-road adventure crafted by a Land Rover, we have the right prestige car for hire here today.
With the largest fleet in the UK and experts on hand to help carve a bespoke car hire experience for your party, speak to a member of our professional Sales Team on 02036001631 (24 Hours) or email sales@starrluxurycars.com.