Former royal butler Grant Harrold has lifted the lid on King Charles’s eco-friendly car collection, with one being customised by the monarch using a ‘big sticker’
King Charles(Image: Pool, Getty Images)
A former butler to King Charles has revealed details about the Royal Family’s vehicle collection, including insights into which motors the monarch personally drives.
Grant Harrold has disclosed that amongst the numerous vehicles the King has operated throughout his life, several feature distinctive characteristics or modifications.
Among them is a Jaguar bearing a short, yet significant message that reflects the King’s environmental advocacy and commitment to conservation.
Speaking on behalf of Select Car Leasing, Grant revealed: “He also has a Jaguar which has a big sticker on the back saying ‘Save the Red Squirrel’.”
The Jaguar forms part of an extensive collection of British-made vehicles available to the King, which includes Land Rovers, a Lotus, and various others.
Yet one particular vehicle holds pride of place above all others — his Aston Martin DB6 MkII Volante, which was presented to him by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip to mark his 21st birthday.
Moreover, as the vehicle has aged, it has undergone modifications to become more eco-friendly. It was converted to operate on wine and cheese by-products instead of fossil fuels, something Grant noted became a source of amusement amongst staff and Prince William.
He said: “But the interesting thing about it is that he had it modified in 2008 so it runs on wine and cheese. We couldn’t believe it when we found out, we used to joke about it a lot in the staff room. Prince William used to mock his dad for it a lot, in a loving way of course, but it’s just such a random thing to do.
“But he’s so conscious of the environment, and was long before it became mainstream. He was always looking for ways he could to protect the environment, it’s something he’s so passionate about.”
Grant revealed that Charles is “very protective” of the vehicle and seldom allows others behind the wheel. Prince William drove it on the occasion of his wedding to Kate Middleton, and on one occasion a chef was required to drive it back from an airport, sparking “a big hoo-ha” after Charles provided a detailed list of do’s and don’ts regarding how to operate the vehicle.
Grant also disclosed that although the King is not required to hold a driving licence, he possesses one regardless, given that such licences are issued in the name of his government.
Grant’s remarks follow reports that a new addition to the royal fleet is anticipated in the form of a Lotus Eletre SUV, priced at upwards of £100,000.
The Anglo-Chinese vehicle is capable of accelerating from 0 to 62mph in under three seconds, with a top speed exceeding 160mph, a range of approximately 280 miles, and over 900hp.
It was announced in 2024 that two Bentleys also featured in the royal fleet would undergo conversion to run on biofuel, as part of efforts to reduce the royal household’s carbon footprint.
