The Royal Family is often photographed motoring around London in convertibles, but with a stable of professional chauffeurs, why do they even bother learning to drive? A Prince Harry biographer says they just want to feel normal every once in a while. But a royal isn’t exactly the typical luxury car driver, who’s looking to impress. For high-profile royalty, private cars mean a taste of freedom and even rebellion; Princess Diana could hardly ask the help to drive her to late-night canoodles with Captain Hewitt, and Prince Charles parked on country roads to meet up with Camilla on the sly. The top ten cars of the royal family prove that they may want to be like us, but that they’ll never compromise on style.
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Rolls-Royce
The Royal Family has owned dozens—dozens—of Phantom IVs and Vs. Of particular note was the Queen’s 1955 State Landaulet, a model reserved exclusively for heads of state.
Aston Martin
On Prince Charles’s 21st birthday, the Queen gave him a Seychelles Blue DB6 Volante and hired two-time Formula One world champion Graham Hill to teach him how to handle it.
Mercedes-Benz
In 1991, Princess Diana leased a burgundy convertible R129 Mercedes 500 SL that oozed glamour. Unfortunately, she was pressured to return it and to instead drive something more British.
Bentley
The Queen can really cruise in her Bentley Bentayga, which can reach 187 miles per hour and costs more than $200,000. She has two more custom-made Bentleys as well.
Cadillac
The good news: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have used their fame to promote environmental causes. The bad news: they’ve earned criticism for driving a luxury Escalade that’s listed as one of the worst cars for the planet.
Vauxhall
The 1961 Cresta Friary Estate was one of the Queen’s favorites, customized with a dog guard, gun rack, and fishing rod holders on the roof.
Audi
William, Kate, and Harry all enjoy the German auto, but they probably don’t have to worry about car payments. Audi recently gifted William with a sharp A5 Sportback.
Land Rover
In her 90s, the Queen loves to drive herself around her Scotland estate in an older Land Rover. Prince Philip prefers the Land Rover Discovery and Freelander.
Volkswagen
Prince William’s first car was a humble Golf, evidence that he’s a man of the people. By coincidence, Kate Middleton couldn’t resist a hatchback, either; her 2001 blue beauty was put up for auction on eBay in 2011.
Jaguar
Of all the top ten cars of the Royal Family, Jaguar seems to have earned the most royal loyalty. William and Kate are the latest royal generation to tool around in a Jaguar: the electric I-Pace. Princess Diana customized her XJ with two more seats for her boys; a grown-up Harry drove a Jag to his wedding reception. But Queen Elizabeth caused the biggest splash when she was spotted driving herself home from church: she zoomed back to the castle in a bottle-green Jaguar, her hat barely peeking out above the wheel.
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