AlthoughPrince Philip’s funeral arrangements have been revised amid the ongoing pandemic, several of his personal wishes have been implemented — including his desire to be carried in a Land Rover.
During the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral procession on Saturday, his coffin will be carried on a customized Land Rover – something that the keen designer took a leading role in modifying.
It “was designed and custom-made to the duke’s specification,” Buckingham Palace said.
The royal had a lifelong love for the British-made vehicle, which reflected his interest in engineering and technology. A member of the public even left a toy Land Rover among the flowers and condolence letters placed near Buckingham Palace following Philip’s death.
Instead of the usual hearse, Philip wanted his body to be taken to St. George’s Chapel in a modified Land Rover. According to the palace, he started on the design with the car manufacturing company 18 years ago. Based on a Land Rover Defender TD 130, the vehicle was modified with an open-top rear section based on Philip’s specifications. It was also painted dark bronze green (per the duke’s instructions), which is the same color the British military uses for many of its Land Rovers.
Prince Philip’s custom Land Rover hearse.Kirsty O’Connor/WPA Pool/Getty Images
Jeremy Selwyn - WPA Pool/Getty
Speaking to parliament on Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was fitting that Philip would be taken to his funeral in the British-made vehicle.
Prince Philip leans against his Land Rover.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wave to well-wishers from their open Land Rover in Wellington, New Zealand, October 1981.Anwar Hussein/Getty
Prince Philipvoluntarily gave up his driver’s license at the age of 97 in 2019 following a car crash. Philip walked away from the accident uninjured after flipping his Land Rover following a collision with another vehicle that left a woman with a broken arm.
Queen Elizabethand members of the royal family will gather to honor the life and legacy ofPrince Philipat St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle tomorrow.
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source: people.com
