His Majesty King Charles III’s deep fascination for fancy automobiles is well known to the public. Amongst all the luxurious cars, he has a particular fondness for British marques such as Aston Martin, which perfectly embodies the luxury he is accustomed to along with a nod to sustainability. Perhaps, it comes as no surprise then, that King Charles III has bestowed upon Aston Martin the prestigious honor of a Royal Warrant.
The brand’s royal connection dates back to 1954, when Prince Philip received a Lagonda. Much later, HM King Charles’ love for the brand brought it into the spotlight.
Did you know that the King was presented an Aston Martin by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, as a 21st birthday gift in 1970? It was the DB6 Volante, an iconic car synonymous with his royal persona. In recent years, it has undergone several eco-friendly modifications, aligning with the sustainable principles advocated by the King. Its conversion to run on E85 fuel, derived from the residues of cheese and wine production, reflects a commitment to environmental consciousness, a trait shared by both the King and the esteemed automaker.
This historic gift marked the beginning of a legendary journey and the first of the string of Aston Martins owned by The King. Now, after four decades, the royal family has given Aston Martin the Royal Warrant, further solidifying its bond with the monarchy. This is a proud and first-ever moment for the brand to receive such recognition from the Royal Family.
Harking back to the past, the King learned to drive his first Aston Martin to its fullest potential at Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire. For the lesson and guidance, the best was chosen. The two-time Formula 1® world champion Graham Hill was hired for the position.
His second car from the marque, an Aston Martin Virage Volante, was a gift from the Emir of Bahrain in 1989. King Charles made some personal touches to the car, such as removing the boot spoiler and side skirts like a Vantage model, while retaining its powerful engine. Additionally, he went for the Balmoral Green paint, which resembled the one famously driven by James Bond in the 1987 film The Living Daylights.
Carefully selected customizations included a cup holder for his polo ponies’ sugar cubes and the replacement of the standard ashtray with an elegant sunglasses case. These special features were called the ‘Prince of Wales specification’. Later, the brand produced over 20 identical Vantage Volantes for its most distinguished clientele.
Throughout the years, the King has maintained a close connection with Aston Martin, from visiting its Gaydon Headquarters in 2004, to launching the brand’s new SUV manufacturing facility in St Athan, South Wales, in 2020. This latest recognition is just an extension of that spirit.
“Continuing Aston Martin’s long and privileged association with the Royal Family, our appointment by His Majesty is an immensely proud and historic moment for the Aston Martin brand. The Royal Warrant also represents a recognition of our employees’ commitment to British design, craft and engineering excellence which His Majesty has long championed,” Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman of Aston Martin said.
