Photo: The Royal Family on Twitter
The Queen of the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and head of the Commonwealth Elizabeth II has passed away today, September 8th, 2022, at Balmoral, in Scotland. The news took the world by surprise, even if the longest-reigning monarch the UK has ever had was 96 years old. British automakers published their first messages on social media. Here’s what they had to say.
After dedicating most of her life to the service of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and other countries that had her as head of state, Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy that’s going to be hard to match. Her seven-decade-long reign will forever be remembered.
British automakers and motorsport representatives expressed their first thoughts online and published different messages. Here’s who said what, in chronological order. There’s also a notable absence from this list.
Just six minutes after the death of the Queen has been publicly confirmed, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali published a short statement in which he said the motorsport “mourn the passing of Her Majesty (…) and sends its deepest condolences to the Royal Family and to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.”
Red Bull, Mercedes-AMG, and Alfa Romeo quickly followed with their own carefully selected words. "The impact she made in the UK and around the world will be felt for generations to come and the values she stood for are the best of all human values: dignity, respect and compassion," reads a statement by Mercedes-AMG Petronas Team Principal Toto Wolff.
McLaren was the first British automaker to publish a black and white photo of Elizabeth II, indicating her time as monarch has come to an end. It followed afterward with a message in which the carmaker said it mourns “the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, whilst also remembering her incredible reign.”
Aston Martin reminded everyone of a visit the Queen made to the company’s headquarters in 1966. The brand called her “a passionate champion for British culture, enterprise, and innovation.”
Bentley also sent its condolences and added it’s going to “pause, reflect, and show heartfelt gratitude for the historic reign of the Queen.”
Lotus, Land Rover, Jaguar, and Caterham also expressed their sympathies, respect, and regrets. Their full messages can be read by accessing the photo gallery.
General Motors CEO Mary Barra also took to Twitter to express her condolences to the British Royal Family. “Her leadership, grace, and devotion to service touched the lives of millions. She will be greatly missed,” said Barra.
A notable absence from this long list is Rolls-Royce and MINI. Both brands are owned by BMW and have not posted any message by the time this article was published.
9.9.2022, 7:03 UTC UPDATE - Rolls-Royce published a message regarding the Queen's passing. "Today, we unite with the people of Great Britain, the Commonwealth and people of the world to mourn the death of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II. Dedicated to the nation and devoted to her family, she represented the highest ideals of service and humanity," said the brand on LinkedIn. MINI remains the only British automaker that hasn't yet said anything on the matter.
Queen Elizabeth II has been seen driving on numerous occasions, even if she never had a driving license. But she learned how to drive while serving as a mechanic in the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service in 1945 during World War II. That’s when she became the first woman member of the royal family to serve in the military. She was known to have a passion for off-road vehicles and the royal car collection is made of many interesting or unique cars, SUVs, and trucks.
Now that the “London Bridge is down,” the UK prepares for a difficult period from which it will have to reemerge as a nation with a new monarch, more specifically - a King.
British automakers and motorsport representatives expressed their first thoughts online and published different messages. Here’s who said what, in chronological order. There’s also a notable absence from this list.
Just six minutes after the death of the Queen has been publicly confirmed, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali published a short statement in which he said the motorsport “mourn the passing of Her Majesty (…) and sends its deepest condolences to the Royal Family and to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.”
Red Bull, Mercedes-AMG, and Alfa Romeo quickly followed with their own carefully selected words. "The impact she made in the UK and around the world will be felt for generations to come and the values she stood for are the best of all human values: dignity, respect and compassion," reads a statement by Mercedes-AMG Petronas Team Principal Toto Wolff.
McLaren was the first British automaker to publish a black and white photo of Elizabeth II, indicating her time as monarch has come to an end. It followed afterward with a message in which the carmaker said it mourns “the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, whilst also remembering her incredible reign.”
Aston Martin reminded everyone of a visit the Queen made to the company’s headquarters in 1966. The brand called her “a passionate champion for British culture, enterprise, and innovation.”
Bentley also sent its condolences and added it’s going to “pause, reflect, and show heartfelt gratitude for the historic reign of the Queen.”
Lotus, Land Rover, Jaguar, and Caterham also expressed their sympathies, respect, and regrets. Their full messages can be read by accessing the photo gallery.
General Motors CEO Mary Barra also took to Twitter to express her condolences to the British Royal Family. “Her leadership, grace, and devotion to service touched the lives of millions. She will be greatly missed,” said Barra.
A notable absence from this long list is Rolls-Royce and MINI. Both brands are owned by BMW and have not posted any message by the time this article was published.
9.9.2022, 7:03 UTC UPDATE - Rolls-Royce published a message regarding the Queen's passing. "Today, we unite with the people of Great Britain, the Commonwealth and people of the world to mourn the death of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II. Dedicated to the nation and devoted to her family, she represented the highest ideals of service and humanity," said the brand on LinkedIn. MINI remains the only British automaker that hasn't yet said anything on the matter.
Queen Elizabeth II has been seen driving on numerous occasions, even if she never had a driving license. But she learned how to drive while serving as a mechanic in the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service in 1945 during World War II. That’s when she became the first woman member of the royal family to serve in the military. She was known to have a passion for off-road vehicles and the royal car collection is made of many interesting or unique cars, SUVs, and trucks.
Now that the “London Bridge is down,” the UK prepares for a difficult period from which it will have to reemerge as a nation with a new monarch, more specifically - a King.
The team at McLaren Racing mourn the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, whilst also remembering her incredible reign. Our thoughts are with The Royal Family and people around the world during this terribly sad time. pic.twitter.com/IqCQKpLVdC
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) September 8, 2022
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