Cars fit for a Coronation

Over the years, we’ve been fortunate enough to see several of the Royal household’s vehicles listed on Auto Trader, including Prince Philip’s 4x4, Prince Harry’s Audi RS6 and the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Bentley Mulsanne.
We even have this 2013 Bentley Mulsanne, listed coming from “former Bentley Special Operations for the Royal Household” available on site right now. Finished in dark sapphire, with ivory leather upholstery and imperial blue secondary hide (alongside burr walnut inlays, of course), it certainly looks the part for the big weekend. But which cars will we actually see in the Coronation Procession? Let’s take a look at the Royal family’s car – both official and personal.

There won’t be an official royal car for the coronation, with two coaches being used instead.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will first travel from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the horse-drawn Diamond Jubilee State Coach, which was made to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. This is the first time this coach will be used in a coronation. Later in the day, the newly crowned King and Queen will used the Gold State Coach for the Coronation Procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. The Gold State Coach was commissioned in 1760 and first used when King George III travelled to the State Opening of Parliament in 1762. Since then, it has been used at every coronation since King William IV in 1831. The Gold State Coach’s last prior appearance was during the Pageant of the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in June 2022, though her late Majesty opted not to travel in it, having previously branded it “horrible” and “not meant for travelling”.

Thus far, only the two coaches have been confirmed, though the Royal family have fleet of cars that includes:
State Cars These are used for public engagements and ceremonial occasions. There are currently five state cars, including two Bentley State Limousines (commissioned for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee in 2002) and three Rolls-Royces. The State Cars carry members of the Royal family, and are made available for heads of state visiting the UK. All five state cars were used at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, so chances are high that we’ll see them again during the Coronation Procession. Royal Review Vehicles The Royal family use these two modified Range Rovers at some official parades. Semi-State Cars The six Semi-State Cars are used in less formal situations, and so are less likely to feature as part of the procession. The fleet consists of two Jaguar XJ Limousines and three Daimler DS420 Limousines, alongside a couple of recently-added Range Rovers.

King Charles’ car collection contains a lot of low- and zero-emission vehicles.
One of the most famous in his collection is an Aston Martin DB6 Volante, which was converted by specialist RS Williams to run on biofuels including wine and cheese. For security reasons, King Charles often travels in a Bentley owned by the Metropolitan Police. His extensive car collection is also said to include a second Aston Martin (this one a Vantage Volante), and a Jaguar XJ amongst others.

Over the last 70 years, the royal family have owned and driven the best that British car manufacturers can offer, and a couple even made their way onto the Auto Trader website. You’ll recognise most of them and you might just be able to get your hands on one.

A favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who owned approximately 30 of them throughout her time on the throne. Queen Elizabeth typically chose a similar spec each time, opting for Aintree Green paintwork and the most luxurious interior that Land Rover can deliver.
The Defender has seen its fair share of upgrades over the years, and whilst you might not be able to buy one from the personal collection, you might just be able to find the right Land Rover for you here on Auto Trader.

An active advocate for the environment, King Charles III favours eco-friendly electric cars over their petrol or diesel variants, but that wasn’t always the case. Through the 1980s and 1990s, Charles was often spotted behind the wheel of a V8 Vantage Volante, before dropping out of the public’s eye in the mid-1990s.
Not many pictures exist of Charles’ V8 Vantage, but aside from the difference in colour (Charles’ donned his trademark blue paintwork) the one pictured here shouldn’t be too dissimilar. You can check out Aston Martin V8 Vantages available on Auto Trader right now.

One of the oldest in the royal car collection, King Charles’ Aston Martin DB6 is still alive and kicking, albeit now far more environmentally friendly than when it was gifted to him on his 21st birthday by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Famously, this DB6 now runs on surplus alcohol from wine production, making it a green choice indeed.
Whilst you might struggle to find a biofuel DB6, Auto Trader has some incredible petrol Aston Martin DB6 models available to buy right now. Who knows, you could even convert it and feel like a future king.

The Jaguar I-Pace was one of the UK’s most prized electric cars when it entered the market, and it seems King Charles thinks so too. Bought in 2018, Charles often uses his I-Pace to conduct more formal engagements, living up to his eco-focused credentials and the Prince’s goal of slashing royal carbon emissions by 25% over the next decade. Voted New Car of the year 2021 by Auto Trader, the Jaguar I-Pace is currently enjoyed by over 50,000 drivers.

Back in 2015, Queen Elizabeth II bought a custom roofless LWB Range Rover, built by Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations division. To give Her Majesty and her family space to stand and wave to the adoring public, Land Rover removed the rear seats and added a retractable roof to cover the car once public duties are over.
Whilst you might not be able to get your hands on the late Queen’s custom-made model, there are thousands of Range Rovers available now on Auto Trader in a variety of models and colours.

Not all of the Royals opt for custom models or even just British models. Prince Harry drove around in an Audi RS6 Avant for about a year before it ended up being sold with Auto Trader for £71,900.
Harry isn’t the only royal to choose the German brand over British classics either. Whilst King Charles III once opted for an Audi A8, Prince William and his wife, Kate owned an Audi A3 and an A5 Sportback, respectively.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom is a royal staple and the British Royal family has owned a variety of Rolls-Royce Phantoms over the years. One of the late Queen’s favourites, the Phantom is often taken for a spin when there’s a high-profile outing to be made, and it’s made appearances at every royal wedding over the last few decades.
Whilst most are still in the Royal family’s possession today, every once in a while, a royal-owned Phantom does get sold off via a private seller. Alas there isn’t one on the market right now, but you can browse the range of Rolls-Royce Phantoms on Auto Trader right now.

Princess Margaret bought a Silver Wraith II in 1980 and used it as her primary personal car for many years to come. She also lent it out to Queen Elizabeth herself and Ronald and Nancy Reagan, so it’s been driven by some powerful people.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to get your hands on Princess Margaret’s Rolls-Royce, but you can check out the range of Wraiths available on Auto Trader now.

Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 2002, and to mark the occasion luxury British car brand Bentley gifted two custom made State Limousines, designed to the Her Majesty’s specifications, of course donning claret and black paintwork and the Royal Coat of Arms atop the roof.
These two State Limousines are the only ones in the whole world, meaning their estimated value is well over £10 million apiece, and are heavily armoured. One of the Queen’s Bentley Mulsanne limousines was sold on Auto Trader for just under £200,000, and whilst it’s no longer available, there might just be a Mulsanne out there for you.

Which cars are you hoping to see in the Coronation Procession?
If any of these have tickled your fancy, you can browse Auto Trader to find your royal match today. With the largest choice of cars available at your fingertips, you'll find a new (or pre-loved) car that's right for you.