© AFPBritain's Queen Elizabeth II is seen looking out of a car window in this 2006 photo. A top-of-the-range Daimler formerly owned by the queen is up for sale, with unique features including a handbag holder and corgi-friendly fittings.
The Daimler Majestic V8 Jaguar, which the monarch used from 2001-2004, has only 14,000 miles (22,500 kilometres) on the clock and is on offer to the highest bidder.
"It's a truly unique vehicle," Peter Ratcliffe, a specialist dealer who bought the car from Jaguar, told The Independent newspaper.
"There is nothing else out there, or ever going to be out there, that you can buy and say this was the personal car of the Queen of England, specially built for her," he added.
The car, used to drive the queen from her Buckingham Palace residence in central London to her Windsor Castle estate west of of the capital, originally included secure telephone lines to Downing Street and the Home Office.
Uniquely royal features include a redesigned armrest to accommodate Queen Elizabeth's handbag and a hidden panel of security lighting including blue flashing strobe lamps for use when the car was in a police convoy.
In addition Jaguar provided special covers for the magazine holders next to the seats, to prevent her pet corgis from slipping off the calf-skin seat covers and falling into them, The Independent reported.
Extra window switches were also provided for full air flow control. "She was very clear about her requirements. She had an extra switch installed on each of the rear doors to control the windows on the opposite side," said Ratcliffe.
"Apparently she doesn't like to have the wind blowing directly into her face," he added.
The memorabilia expert is seeking offers for the car -- which even includes the original number plate -- via a dedicated website, hmthequeensdaimler.com.
Pictures on the site show the sovereign driving the car.
"This stunning car is in truly immaculate as new condition and has all original paperwork, service book, spare keys and photographs of the queen driving the car," says the online blurb.
"Serious enquiries only please," it adds.
Source: Agence France-Presse
Reader Comments
to our Newsletter