Vale - Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II sadly passed away on 8th September, but before she died, she had her say on one important part of her funeral and final journey. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II consulted on the plans for the Jaguar XJ hearse that took her from RAF Northolt (10 km north of Heathrow) to various locations on the way to her final resting place at Windsor Castle. It was designed by The Royal Household and Jaguar Land Rover, with the Queen’s oversight. The Palace stated: “The State Hearse has been designed to allow members of the public to have a clear view of Her Majesty’s Coffin as it travels through London and Windsor.” The XJ (X351) was customised by Wilcox Limousines, based in Wigan. The vehicle features wide windows along the sides and rear, with a see-through glass roof. The roof edge houses three bright spotlights, which illuminated the raised coffin.

Some of the other alterations included thinner roof pillars and a higher roof to accommodate the coffin. The bonnet ornament features a bespoke silverplated bronze statue of St George slaying a dragon and the Queen’s personal royal cypher is featured on the sides of the hearse.

The XJ X351 was painted a special shade of Royal Claret, which is the same colour as the official Royal and State cars that

are used by members of the Royal Family on official duties.

While she was always chauffeured in public, the Queen had a fondness for driving herself and was a keen motorist who enjoyed a wide range of British cars that including Daimler and Jaguar cars. (Photographs of the Queen in her Jaguars/ Daimler are on following pages). As a new era dawns, we would like to extend our condolences to this most extraordinary lady. .

Information for this story from various sources

Just like her Mother, Queen Elizabeth’s last ride was in a Jaguar. The modified XJ (X351) was specified by the Queen herself.

The Queen has owned a number of Jaguars & Daimlers including one of the last built X-Type Estates. The range green 2009 Jaguar X-Type Sovereign Estate came with heated seats, parking sensors and a dog grille to stop the corgis distracting the Queen. The Queen was often pictured driving the V6 X-Type around Windsor but eventually decided to part with the car in 2016. Despite being seven years old, the threelitre automatic X-Type had just 7,600 miles on the clock. The Queen also owned a 1950’s Daimler and a Daimler Super V8 as well as being chaffered in a Jaguar and Daimler cars, including a special open top XJ-landaulet (Page 56). .

Her Majesties 2009 Jaguar X-type 3.0 litre Estate came complete with heated seats, parking sensors and a dog grille.

The Queen pictured driving with a security guard in the Jaguar X-Type down Long Walk in Windsor Great Park. The monarch was the only person permitted to drive down Long Walk and is also the only person allowed to drive without a licence in the UK. Seen here, her Majesty had to move off the Long Walk to avoid a young family, who were reportedly stunned when they realised who the driver was.

A picture from 1957, shows Queen Elizabeth II driving her Daimler with Prince Charles and Princess Anne .