Every royal driving etiquette detail 'exposed': Queen Elizabeth's hot water bottle trick, security protocol and King Charles's string of luxury vehicles
A former butler has dished all the details...
It might surprise you that, when it comes to driving, the royal family have fairly normal habits.
King Charles’ former butler Grant Harrold has opened up about the royals’ driving habits from the best driver, to King Charles’s garage of luxury vehicles and security protocol in place.
Harrold has even revealed that on one occasion he was chauffeured by a very surprising senior royal indeed – here is everything he said…
Speaking on behalf of Select Car Leasing, Grant Harrold divulged all the info when it comes to the royals, their cars and their typical process when getting behind the wheel.
What cars do the royal family drive?
He said: “The King famously has his Aston Martin, which was a 21st birthday present. It’s an Aston Martin DB6 MkII Volante in Seychelles Blue. But the interesting thing about it is that he had it modified in 2008 so it runs on wine and cheese. We couldn’t believe it when we found out, we used to joke about it a lot in the staff room. Prince William used to mock his dad for it a lot, in a loving way of course, but it’s just such a random thing to do. But he’s so conscious of the environment, and was long before it became mainstream. He was always looking for ways he could to protect the environment, it’s something he’s so passionate about.
“He’s very, very protective of that car. He never let anyone else drive it. It was a big issue as I remember both William and Harry wanting to drive it, but he wouldn’t let them. He let William and Kate borrow it on their wedding day, and that was a big deal. I remember one occasion when one of the chefs had to drive it back from the airport and it was a massive honour, but it caused a big who-ha. I remember him giving him strict instructions about how slow to drive it and what to do.
“He used to drive it around Tetbury with the roof down. People’s faces when he went past were just priceless. I remember once this woman almost pulled her husband over when she grabbed him because she was so shocked to just see him driving normally. Of course he would always give a little wave.”
Prince William’s beloved ‘little’ car
“Prince William obviously has his own cars now, but I remember he used to drive this funny little VW. I say funny, it was a nice car, it was just odd seeing the future King driving around in this pokey little car, very similar to what normal young men were driving at the time. He also had a Ford Focus at one point. Harry had the Smart car.”
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Now, we are well versed on the flash cars the royal family have access to the next question is…do they have driving licenses? And do they have to take driving lessons just like we do?
How do the royal family learn to drive?
“They’re very much like the rest of us in this sense,” Grant Harrold explained.”It’s their parents plus a professional instructor from the local area. The instructors have to be checked and vetted of course, but after that it’s just like it is for everyone else. The Royal Family tend to stick to the same people for stuff like this to save having to run vetting multiple times, so there is a good chance the same people taught William, Harry, Zara and Peter, and possibly also Beatrice and Eugenie.”
But when it comes to the monarch, his driving education was rather different.
Does King Charles have a driving license?
“It is true. He doesn’t need one as driving licences and passports are issued in the name of the King’s Government – so he’s not required to have one. But he actually has one anyway, as he was obviously driving for decades before he became King. In the same way that Prince William has one, as will Prince George when he’s old enough.”
Amongst the royals, Grant Harrold said that two stand out when it comes to loving being in the driver’s seat.
“All the royals seemed to really enjoy driving. I remember William and Harry in particular used to love going out in their cars. The King would often prefer to drive himself than using a chauffeur. If he was going to an official engagement he would use a car, but apart from that he would just drive himself wherever he needed to go. It’s a bit of normality and freedom for them really. They don’t get much normality, they don’t get much freedom – so to be out driving, you are in control of it, it’s you’re in charge. Plus also, you have to remember that most of their homes are very isolated so you can’t really get anywhere without a car.”
Even though they are the royal family, when it comes to their cars, it sounds like they are rather like the rest of us and have their own habits and particulars.
The royal family’s driving habits
In fact, several members of the royal family had some specific requests when it came to driving.
“The King always had a cushion on his seat to support his back, we always had to make sure there was one in there for him. The late Queen always had a blanket over her lap, and if it was really cold a hot water bottle as well. We would always have bottles of water in the back of the cars for all the royals, and normally there would be mints too as they obviously spend their days talking to people. And the King would nearly always work if he was being driven somewhere, so he would have all his official papers in the car too. He was always working away, especially if it was a long drive.”
King Charles also had a strict rule when it came to driving…
“The King never had snacks in the car as he really doesn’t like mess.”
According to Harrold, Queen Camilla is also fond of having her precious pooches with her.
Apparently, Camilla’s car used to always have a bunch of dog hair in the back seat.
So, when the royal family do go out for a drive, it is probably expected that there is a bit of organisation needed.
What security is in place for when the royal family do go driving?
“Royals never go out alone as they always have their security with them. When they’re going to engagements they always have their security team with them in surrounding cars. The royals will always work in the back of the car, especially the King who is always working, so staff will set up the back seat with his papers and anything else he needs. When the cars arrive, the chauffeur will get out and open the doors so the royals can step out.
“There is royal etiquette for how to get out of the car, especially when it comes to the royal ladies. They have to be very graceful, and it’s a bit of a skill. They tend to keep their legs together and swing them around, and just use their hands on the seat to push themselves up. That’s what they’re taught to do it. You have to remember they are being photographed constantly at royal engagements, so they need to make sure everything is correct. It is a real skill, I wear a kilt so I know first hand how tricky it can be!”
Do the royals mix up their vehicles to avoid detection?
The former royal butler also explained that although security is paramount, the royal family don’t usually mix up the vehicles they drive.
“No. The royals have their own cars which they use regularly,” he explained. “The King has an Aston Martin, a Defender and a Bentley, as well as some others in the royal fleet. But he sticks to those really.”
Royal family driving etiquette explained
The royals also have some etiquette guidelines they typically stick to, according to Harrold. Although, he also noted that it has changed over the years.
“The royals’ etiquette around cars has really changed over the years. It’s not unusual to see the younger royals, like Kate, Meghan, William and Harry, opening and closing their doors without any assistance. At one time, this would have been unheard of. You never would have seen the late Queen opening her door at public events. Of course she did it in private. But never at official engagements. It sounds like a little thing. But it’s very interesting in terms of an example how the Royal Family is evolving and becoming less formal.”
Harrold also spilled the tea on when a royal switched roles and drove him around!
He said when asked if he had been driven by a royal family member.
When King Charles chauffeured his butler
“Yes, the King! We were up at the Balmoral estate, we were going somewhere and he decided to drive – so it was the King and the Duke of Westminster in the front, and me and one of the other butlers in the back. He was a very good driver. It was quite bumpy because of the country lanes in Balmoral, but we all just had a normal conversation. That was a surreal moment.”
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