What many did not know: the British monarch definitely had a relationship with cars. Here are five facts from the late Queen’s long car life.
1. The Queen could repair cars
Elizabeth II was a trained car mechanic and driver. The British Queen was educated during World War II. At the age of 18, in February 1945, she joined the British Army Women’s Section, where she served under service number 230873 as “Honorary Second Subaltern to Elizabeth Windsor”. In addition to her motor vehicle apprenticeship, she also learned how to drive a truck there. After five months she became Junior Commander honorary promotion.
2. Elizabeth II didn’t need a license plate
The Queen was the only person in Britain allowed to drive without a number plate. However, only in the official cars, the so-called State Limousines. These cars have the Windsor coat of arms above the windscreen instead of the number plate. When Queen Elizabeth was traveling incognito, she too took a number-plate car. What that was was unfortunately secret.
Official Queen’s cars had no registration plates. Instead, the Windsor crest was emblazoned on the roof.
3. No leather interior in the state coach
The Windsors like to be down-to-earth and humble. But it was a surprise that the Queen didn’t sit in fine nappa leather in the car. However, there are no fabric seats from the basic equipment installed in their cars: the seats are covered with the finest gray cloth. That was traditional.
4. She didn’t want a Rolls-Royce as a gift
5. Almost 75 years behind the wheel without a license
The Queen learned to drive cars and trucks in the military, but did not have a driver’s license. Thanks to the special permit, she didn’t need the one in Great Britain either. For almost 75 years, Elizabeth drove II without a rag. In July 2015, paparazzi caught the then 90-year-old in Windsor Great Park. At the wheel of her dark green Jaguar, she avoided a family on a walk and therefore quickly drove across the English lawn. Only the Queen was allowed to do that!
It was not uncommon for Queen Elizabeth II to get behind the wheel herself – she didn’t need a driver’s license to do so.
