Even if you're not into politics or a royalist, you have to admit that there's a certain appeal to vehicles used by members of any royal family. More than celebrity-owned vehicles, autos owned or used only occasionally by crowned heads are much coveted collectibles.
When Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022, a glorious and glamorous chapter of the British monarchy ended. The entire system is believed to be heading for an upgrade that would make it more modern and, hopefully, more relevant to the younger generations.
As glamorous and glorious as the Queen's reign was, one of her last rides was anything but. It was still posh and very luxurious by regular standards, but it paled in comparison to the vehicles that featured in her Royal fleet of Land Rovers, Bentleys, Jaguars, and vintage carriages.
Still, if you're into collecting memorabilia of this kind, it's better than nothing. The Queen Mobile, a high-end and bespoke golf cart that the Queen rode briefly in while putting in a couple of appearances at the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2022, is about to cross the auction block. The good news is that it's a collectible for diehard royalists, made even better by the fact that, despite the Royal association, it's expected to fetch less than its MRSP.
We're talking about the white Garia golf cart that the Queen was transported at that event for no more than 8 miles (13 km). It's a Bride and Groom Courtesy model in the highest spec possible, with two extra seats and an upgraded 120ah Lithium battery.
The auction house notes that the vehicle was only used at the event, which squashes previous reports according to which the Queen had it delivered at Windsor so she could walk her beloved Corgis on the estate after she started experiencing mobility issues. Technically, it's not a Queen Mobile because she did not own it. She only used it briefly for two rides.
The Garia golf cart comes with a white exterior and oak leather interior with matching stitching, with seating for six, thanks to a +2 upgrade. Features include a fridge and beverage holders both in the front and for the rear seats, as well as an entertainment system with Bluetooth and speakers. The roof offers weather protection and lights.
"It is the ideal vehicle to transport guests around private areas in style," the auction house notes. That's an elegant way of saying it’s not road legal but fancy enough to warrant the expense, even if you're not a fan of royal vehicles.
A fully-specced (but not customized) Bride and Groom Courtesy vehicle from Garia comes with an MRSP of €30,600 ($33,700 at the current exchange rate), which doesn't include transport from its home country of Denmark.
This one, which is believed to have been customized for the Queen with help from Mercedes-Benz, will be offered at an opening bid of £14,000 ($17,800). The highest estimate is for £25,000 ($31,800), but whether it'll be reached will be seen on August 26 at The Wing, Silverstone Circuit.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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