The Royal Hearse

[MCSV8]

Glad the XJ was chosen for this task. Looked like it was probably a Supersport, judging by the tail pipes.

Rest In Peace, Ma'am.

Edited by MCSV8 on Monday 19th September 18:50

Edited for appalling spelling.

Edited by MCSV8 on Monday 19th September 18:52

[Earl of Hazzard]

She helped design it as well:

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1670704/...

[Giulia Jon]

There was no choosing it ,her majesty had it designed to her specification specifically for this day .

Peace ...by the way .

[Simpo Two]

Interesting. I thought it was a bit downmarket compared with the Rolls and Bentleys there, but if the Queen wanted it that's OK by me.

'Because the Queen passed away at the Balmoral Estate in Scotland, the Jaguar wasn’t the first vehicle to carry the coffin. The coffin was first carried by a Mercedes-Benz limousine provided by local funeral director William Purves.'

If I was in charge of things I'd have trailered the Jag one up there PDQ.

[Mogul]

That Scottish hearse …

[abzmike]

Yes rather odd having built the thing it didn’t get sent north. They had 3 days to get it here.

[Doofus]

abzmike said:

Yes rather odd having built the thing it didn’t get sent north. They had 3 days to get it here.

But they do drive bloody slowly.

[abzmike]

Doofus said:

abzmike said:

Yes rather odd having built the thing it didn’t get sent north. They had 3 days to get it here.

But they do drive bloody slowly.

Yes, into the belly of an RAF C17!

[P700DEE]

abzmike said:

Doofus said:

abzmike said:

Yes rather odd having built the thing it didn’t get sent north. They had 3 days to get it here.

But they do drive bloody slowly.

Yes, into the belly of an RAF C17!

All part of the plans. The Queen was always due to be flown back if she died abroad and her death in Scotland allowed for lying in state in Edinburgh then quick and dignified return to London for the remaining time. The use of an executive jet was considered but at the death of Princess Diana there had been difficulties in loading the coffin which would after modifications to these type of planes be even more difficult now. The C17 was not considered by the courtiers as suitable for transporting her magesty but had been used to repatriate many fallen soldiers. When asked for her opinion the Queen was quoted to say "that if it was good enough for her troops it was good enough for her". No further alternatives were considered.

[abzmike]

Yes, but the question was why get Mr Purves in Edinburgh to wrap a silver Merc in black and drive it to Balmoral and back, when there was a perfectly specified royal hearse sitting in a garage in London ready to go…

[Simpo Two]

abzmike said:

Yes, but the question was why get Mr Purves in Edinburgh to wrap a silver Merc in black and drive it to Balmoral and back, when there was a perfectly specified royal hearse sitting in a garage in London ready to go…

Quite so.

As for the Edinburgh to London stage, traditionally a train would be used, but this was deemed a safety hazard as people would throng the trackside and platforms.

[akirk]

Earl of Hazzard said:

She helped design it as well:

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1670704/...

interesting accuracy:

The article said:

Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament

a) it is not a hood in the UK
b) it is not a RR, so doubt it had a Spirit of Ecstasy on there
c) if built specifically for the Queen / royals, then their mascot would have been on from the start - the standard car would not have had one fitted...

[Simpo Two]

akirk said:

interesting accuracy:

The article said:

Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament

a) it is not a hood in the UK
b) it is not a RR, so doubt it had a Spirit of Ecstasy on there
c) if built specifically for the Queen / royals, then their mascot would have been on from the start - the standard car would not have had one fitted...

Good spot. You can harangue the perpetrator at [e-mail]

But then, how would anyone under 50 know that the Jag mascot is a Leaper? They're not allowed anymore in case they hurt someone...