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Her Majesty has a passion for cars and in her lifetime has owned three Rolls-Royces, three Daimlers and two Bentleys in the state fleet, as well as a number of Volkswagens. The 94-year-old monarch still takes her Range Rover for a spin, having been spotted behind the wheel earlier this year. During the second World War, she learned how to become a professional driver, after volunteering with the Auxiliary Territorial Service as an 18-year-old.

She also received instruction in car mechanics and maintenance and is the only member of the royal family who can change a tyre.

The Queen’s cars are customised to suite her particular tastes, often featuring bespoke interiors of lambswool upholstery and custom green leather.

But perhaps the most extraordinary car she ever drove was a green Jaguar Daimler V8 Super LWB, which she took possession of in 2001.

While it might have looked like a normal Jaguar from the outside, the interior sported a whole series of unique features, ranging from a special holder for her handbag to a secret button disguised as a cigarette lighter.

The website carkeys.co.uk described the car as having “enough gadgetry to make James Bond blush”.

It said: “The car features a range of unique modifications at the Queen’s request, which includes an armrest with a sliding holder designed to hold her specific type of handbag.”

And with regards to the secret button on the dashboard, the website explained this was to “allow secret service to identify her and also to offer extra visibility in the event of a smoke attack”.

For good measure the car came equipped with a radio in the boot, allowing her Majesty to get in touch with both the Home Office and Downing Street should needs be.

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The Super Jaguar was upholstered in her favoured lambswool and had special air vents installed.

The Queen told the car makers that she like d fresh air when she drove, but didn’t want it blowing directly in her face.

To meet her request, engineers fitted special switches to allow her to funnel air to the sides, according to carkeys.co.uk

Her Majesty eventually sold the car at auction for £40,500 in 2013. Her collections of cars is estimated to be worth £10 million.

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Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace re-released last week a special interview the Queen gave to the BBC in 1985 to mark the 40th anniversary of VE Day.

The interview was originally recorded by the BBC Radio 4 programme The Way We Were.

Her Majesty described in detail how she and her 14-year-old sister Margaret were able to mingle unnoticed with joyful revellers standing outside Buckingham Palace. 

 It was posted by Buckingham Palace to its social media channels to help commemorate this year’s celebrations, which have been seriously curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Her Majesty described in detail how she and her 14-year-old sister Margaret were able to mingle unnoticed with joyful revellers standing outside Buckingham Palace.

She said: “We cheered the King and Queen on the balcony and then walked miles through the streets.

“I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief.”

Her Majesty recounted that throughout VE day she had accompanied her parents on to the balcony at Buckingham Palace six times to wave to the joyful throngs.

But she was unable to fully experience what the crowds were enjoying and so decided that she would have to join with the revellers.

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