Current:Home > reviewsEchoSense:A look at King Charles III's car collection, valued at $15 million -Lighthouse Finance Hub
EchoSense:A look at King Charles III's car collection, valued at $15 million
TradeEdge Exchange View
Date:2025-04-11 11:54:56
Members of Britain's royal family have EchoSensebeen pictured over the years behind the wheel of some of the world's most iconic cars, and the new monarch, King Charles III, is no exception.
Ahead of the king's coronation ceremony on May 6, U.K. car leasing company Nationwide Vehicle Contracts released a list of the rare and classic vehicles owned by the royals — and their estimated value.
"Luxury cars have long been associated with the monarch and King Charles III, in particular, is known for his fondness of motor vehicles," Nationwide's director Keith Hawes told CBS News on Tuesday. "His impressive collection features sentimental value with motors passed down from his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, to cars bought for him by his parents."
Nationwide listed 12 vehicles in the royal fleet, with the most valuable being two Bentley State Limousines valued at more than $12 million each. They're the only two limos of their kind in existence, built by Bentley specifically for the 2002 Golden Jubilee of Charles' late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
- U.K. poll finds 70% of young Brits "not interested" in royal family
The Bentleys are the official state cars of Great Britain, and both are described by Nationwide as having "fully armored bodywork and glass, blast-resistant tires, and blue flashing lights."
The interior of the vehicles can be sealed air-tight to protect occupants in the event of a gas attack, Nationwide said in its press release, coming with "James Bond-esque engineering as standard."
One of the vehicles set to carry King Charles for his coronation, however, is a far less-modern people carrier. The Gold State Coach may be the world's oldest and most exclusive vehicle.
The coach was commissioned by King George III and built in 1760, according to Buckingham Palace, and has been used at every coronation since 1831. It is scheduled to carry Charles and his wife Queen Camilla in a procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace on coronation day.
The ornate, gilded coach is valued at around $2 million, Nationwide said. According to the palace, it will be drawn by eight Windsor Grey horses on coronation day and, "due to its weight" of almost 4.5 tons, "will travel at walking pace."
The third most expensive car in the king's garage(s) is a 1965 Aston Martin DB6 Volante. The sports car valued by Nationwide at just over $1.2 million was a 21st birthday present from his parents — but the royal did make some distinct modifications.
The king's passion for environmentalism is well known, and in 2008, when he was the Prince of Wales, he had the Aston converted to run on bioethanol, or more specifically leftover wine.
The other nine vehicles on the list include another Aston Martin and a Rolls Royce valued between $600,000 and $700,000, and then a more modest set that Nationwide said was worth between about $200,000 and $37,000.
- In:
- King Charles III
- British Royal Family
- Electric Vehicle
veryGood! (893)
Related
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Brewers' Devin Williams expected to miss at least 3 months due to stress fractures in back
- North Carolina voter ID lawsuit heading for trial after judge declines to end challenge
- Gulf Coast Petrochemical Buildout Draws Billions in Tax Breaks Despite Pollution Violations
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Kate Middleton Photographer Shares Details Behind Car Outing With Prince William
- Don Lemon's show canceled by Elon Musk on X, a year after CNN firing
- Nearly 1,000 Family Dollar stores are closing, owner Dollar Tree announces
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- SZA Reveals Why She Needed to Remove Her Breast Implants
Ranking
- Jury finds man guilty of sending 17-year-old son to rob and kill rapper PnB Rock
- Why Arnold Schwarzenegger's Son Joseph Baena Doesn't Use His Dad's Last Name
- 16 SWAT officers hospitalized after blast at training facility in Southern California
- Christie Brinkley Shares Skin Cancer Diagnosis
- Golf's No. 1 Nelly Korda looking to regain her form – and her spot on the Olympic podium
- Some Alabama websites hit by ‘denial-of-service’ computer attack
- Lawyer says Epstein plea deal protects Ghislaine Maxwell, asks judge to ditch conviction
- Gulf Coast Petrochemical Buildout Draws Billions in Tax Breaks Despite Pollution Violations
Recommendation
New Orleans mayor’s former bodyguard making first court appearance after July indictment
Mel B alleges abusive marriage left her with nothing, was forced to move in with her mom
Biden is coming out in opposition to plans to sell US Steel to a Japanese company
Christina Applegate Says She Was Living With Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms for 7 Years Before Diagnosis
A steeplechase record at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Then a proposal. (He said yes.)
TikTok bill that could lead to ban faces uphill climb in the Senate
Michigan woman’s handpicked numbers win $1M on Powerball. She found out on Facebook.
Former NFL coach Jon Gruden lands advisory role with football team in Italy