Aisha Nozari
As the world continues to mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday (8 September), all aspects of her incredible life are being remembered, even her very expensive taste in cars.
Back in 2002, the monarch was gifted a £10 million Bentley State Limousine to mark her Golden Jubilee, and at the time, it was the second most expensive car in the world.
What’s more, the car had some very unique specifications to boot - it was, after all, transporting the world’s most famous royal to and fro.
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Making sure Her Majesty was safe should the vehicle come under attack, it was kitted out with gadgets like Kevlar-reinforced tyres to protect the wheels from road spikes, a blast-resistant passenger cabin, and, according to Slash Gear, armour-plated doors.
What’s more, the Bentley’s interior could rapidly be made airtight in the instance of airborne threats like a chemical gas attack and Bentley previously said that the glass and body of the limousine had been ‘specially strengthened’ so as to protect passengers from nearby explosions.
Of course, the vehicle was also specially tailored to the Queen’s taste, too, and designed with the monarch’s comfort in mind.
For example, the passenger cabin was designed to be as visible as possible, seeing as the Queen would often wave to crowds as she drove past.
The car also featured stowage a’plenty so Her Majesty could safely tuck away her belongings and the doors were hinged in a particular way, meaning the Queen could enter and exit the car with ease.
The cabin’s height was also taken into consideration, and the Queen didn’t have to stoop when stepping into the vehicle.
Decor wise, the back seats were decked out in lambs wool and had extra legroom.
Following the Queen's death this week, Buckingham Palace confirmed a period of royal mourning will be observed for seven days after the Queen's funeral, expected to take place in the next 10 days.
The Royal Family’s official website states that a period of respect is ‘observed by members of the Royal Family and their Households, together with troops committed to Ceremonial Duties’.
The statement continued: "During this period, Members of the Royal Family will continue undertaking engagements appropriate to the circumstances. Mourning bands will be worn where appropriate."
The Queen's death marks a monumental shift in British history and the end of a 70-year reign. Having ascended to the throne in 1952 aged just 27, she was the longest reigning British monarch, as well as the longest-serving female head of state ever.