Princess Margaret’s longest serving Rolls-Royce car will go on sale at auction later this month – and is expected to fetch around £50,000 – £60,000.
Hand-built to special order, the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II was finished in cardinal red with a Black Everflex Roof and was delivered to Kensington Palace on May 16 1980.
Forty-four thousand miles later, its last official journey was to convey family members to her funeral at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on February 15 2002.
Among those to travel in the vehicle over the years were the Queen, the Queen Mother and US president Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy.
Princess Margaret’s longest serving Rolls-Royce car will go on sale at auction later this month. Pictured, the royal stepping out of the vehicle while visiting the London Lighthouse on 2 January, 1996
On the 16th of May 1980, this particular Rolls Royce (registered 3GXM) was delivered to its new keeper HRH Princess Margaret, who required a new vehicle for both her private and public engagements
The seats are trimmed in cream fabric, while the rear bench seat is raised, enabling the Princess to be seen. Pictured, the Rolls Royce Silver Wraith II
Its bespoke interior fittings include moving back the upholstery piping on the front and rear seats so there was no danger of it contacting Margaret’s neck should she choose to recline.
The Rolls Royce also boasts Standard Pennant and Royal Crest mountings and a police blue light – items not found on your ‘everyday’ Rolls Royce.
Meanwhile, the interior of the car is finished with a matte rosewood dashboard and door cappings trimmed in black Nuala leather, the latter preferred to polished veneer because it did not reflect photographers’ camera flashes.
The seats are trimmed in cream fabric, while the rear bench seat is raised, which enabled the Princess to be seen.
The car is estimated to fetch between £50,000 and £60,000 when it goes on sale at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, Cambridgeshire, on March 18.
Princess Margaret (pictured) visiting The Mary Hare Grammar School for the deaf in Newbury, Berkshire on 11 May 1995
The Rolls Royce boasts Standard Pennant and Royal Crest mountings and a police blue light – items not found on your every day Rolls Royce (pictured)
On the Bramleys Motor Cars website, the company says: ‘We are delighted to be able to offer for sale this amazing Rolls Royce Silver Wraith II, with an exceptionally special history.’ Pictured, the green
Princess Margaret attends a gala opening performance by the royal Swedish Ballet At The Coliseum, London on 11th June 1986
Warrington-based auction house H&H Sales is also offering a silver Bentley T Series formerly owned by film director Michael Winner at the same sale with an estimated price of between £25,000 and £30,000.
On the Bramleys Motor Cars website, the company commented: ‘We are delighted to be able to offer for sale this amazing Rolls Royce Silver Wraith II, with an exceptionally special history.’
‘On the 16th of May 1980, this particular Rolls Royce (registeed 3GXM) was delivered to its new keeper HRH Princess Margaret, who required a new vehicle for both her private and public engagements.’
‘The Rolls Royce Silver Wraith II LWB Saloon was favoured by both the chauffeur-driven market, as well as the private family market, who were fond of the cars exceptional comfort and increased interior space.’
The car also comes with a history book, showcasing its appearance in various newspapers as well as some never before seen images of its use by its Royal guests.
Princess Margaret at a service at Westminster Abbey to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the National Association Of Almshouses on 31 October, 1996
Princess Margaret photographed riding in a Rolls Royce in circa 1984 in Los Angeles, California (pictured)