On the first anniversary of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a special parade of ‘Royal’ Land Rovers took place at Goodwood Revival, with nine vehicles (each model in the convoy with close links to the Royal Family – carrying out official duties in public or behind the scenes on the Royal estates) undertaking a commemorative lap of the circuit. It was a fitting tribute to the late monarch, but also a reminder of the long and close association between this iconic British automobile marque and the British Royal Family.
Indeed, Land Rover has held a Royal Warrant since 1951, when it was first granted by the late Queen’s father, HM King George VI. At one stage, Land Rover was one of only an exclusive few businesses that held four Royal Warrants – that of HM Queen Elizabeth II, together with warrants granted by The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and the Queen Mother.
The granting of Land Rover’s first Royal Warrant came only a few years after the brand was first created as part of the Rover Company, a new line of four-wheel drive off road vehicles, part inspired by the World War II jeep, designed primarily for agricultural use. The Series 1 was launched at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1948 and it was immediately met with such enthusiasm that this new model became the company’s most popular, paving the way for Land Rover to eventually become a brand (and company) in its own right.
The Rover Company would later become part of Leyland Motor and then British Leyland. Under British Leyland ownership, Land Rover was established as a separate and bespoke business and automobile marque in 1978. Subsequent owners would include BMW and Ford, before its acquisition by Tata Motors in 2008 and the merger into the now Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) group.
In 1948, Land Rover presented HM King George VI, with its 100th production vehicle, which would be used on the Balmoral Estate. It was the start of a royal relationship which would see the marque become one of the most recognised brands associated with the British Royal Family, significantly helping the brand’s appeal and its international reputation. Land Rovers, and later Range Rovers, have become synonymous with images of HM Queen Elizabeth II, both in the UK and abroad. In recent years, fleets of Range Rovers carrying members of the Royal Family have become a regular sight travelling along the Mall at key milestones, such as HM The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations. Range Rovers are also used as security and support cars, forming the vehicle entourage both leading and trailing senior royal figures within the Bentley and Rolls-Royce state cars.
The first image of HM Queen Elizabeth II with a Land Rover was taken in 1951, when, representing her father, the then Princess Elizabeth was pictured standing at the back of a Land Rover to inspect the RAF at a ceremonial event in Hyde Park. Two years later, in 1953, a Series I Land Rover, painted in royal claret, became the first of many Land Rover ‘State Review’ vehicles, custom designed with an elevated rear platform for The Queen and Prince Philip to stand and waves to crowds or from which to inspect troops. This particular vehicle, designated ‘State I’ accompanied the royal couple on a six month tour of the Commonwealth in 1953 and 1954.
Land Rover vehicles were becoming highly aspirational, in no small part as a result of this early association with the Royal Family and the associated profile they received. HM Queen Elizabeth II’s wartime Prime Minster, Sir Winston Churchill, was also an admirer and the Rover Company gifted him a Series I on the occasion of his 80th birthday in 1954 which he used at his Chartwell Estate. In 2012, the specially modified vehicle, with registration ‘UKE 80’ and its original logbook, fetched £129,000 at auction.
A number of early Land Rover’s were custom adapted to serve as State Review vehicles, but after the company launched, to critical acclaim, its higher-end model, combining cutting edge design with permanent 4 wheel drive and exceptional off road capability – the Range Rover – in 1970, this new release became the basis for the next generation of State Review cars. In 1975, a Range Rover State Review vehicle entered service, with a specially modified rear including foldaway seats and a lectern containing concealed umbrellas. An additional exhaust silencer was added to ensure that noise from the V8 engine was kept to a minimum.
This vehicle was followed by the 1990 Range Rover State Review vehicle, which featured in the image chosen by HM Queen Elizabeth II for her 1994 official Christmas card, showing The Queen and Prince Philip waving to crowds whilst attending the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Arromanches in France.
Whilst Land Rovers have played an important role in ceremonial events and overseas tours, many Land Rover vehicles have also been used privately by the Royal Family as working estate vehicles. Two such examples were on display at Goodwood, including a Land Rover Defender 130, nicknamed ‘Jumbo’, modified to support outings at the Sandringham Estate and a Defender 110 V8, regularly driven by HM Queen Elizabeth II and both still part of the active Royal fleet at the Norfolk retreat.
In 2021, a Land Rover had a poignant and special role in the funeral service of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, with a Land Rover TD5 Defender 130 model, specially designed by Prince Philip himself and painted in dark military green, modified to carry his coffin.
Whilst many historic Land Rovers with connection to the Royal Family are part of the Royal Collection at the British Motor Museum, a number of vehicles, especially Range Rovers, have come on to the open market for sale, following their retirement from royal service. In many circumstances, the vehicle’s connection to the royal family is not discernible, with their vehicle registration changed once out of service, however in recent years, a number of Range Rovers with a known royal connection have come up for sale.
Bramley Motor Cars in Surrey is currently displaying the 4.4 litre loire blue Range Rover SDV8 Autobiography LWB used by HM Queen Elizabeth II. This vehicle was most famously used to meet President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as they stepped off Marine One after they landed in the grounds of Windsor Castle on a visit to the United Kingdom. The couple, alongside The Queen, were driven back to the castle by Prince Philip, one of the very few occasions when a serving President has been permitted to travel in a vehicle other than the heavily armoured Presidential limousine. With 2016 models available for less than £50,000, this particularly special Range Rover has a price tag of £225,000, reflecting its regal connection and associated fame.
With the younger generation of royals continuing to favour driving Land Rovers and Range Rovers, this is a historic royal relationship which looks set to continue.
All imagery credit: Jaguar Land Rover
