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The state hearse is a vehicle of the Royal Mews used for funerals of the British royal family. Based on a Jaguar XJ model, it was designed by the Royal Household and Jaguar Land Rover with the input of and approval from Elizabeth II and converted by UK-Based coachbuilder Wilcox Limousines. It was first used on 13 September 2022 to transport Queen Elizabeth II's coffin from RAF Northolt to London ahead of her lying-in-state.
The hearse has large side and back windows and a glass roof to maximise the coffin's visibility to onlookers. It also features three internal spotlights along one side of the roof to illuminate the coffin, which is on a raised platform. The design of the car is unique. The roof pillars are thinner than in a standard model and the roof is higher.
The hearse has royal claret coloured paint with red pinstripe details, which matches other vehicles operated by the Royal Mews. As a state vehicle it has no registration plates. Jaguar's "grinner" badge of a jaguar's face is on the front grill and their "leaper" badge of a jumping animal on the rear panel. Queen Elizabeth II approved the final plans for the design of the hearse.
There is a mount for a mascot at the front of the bonnet; when used to carry the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, it displayed her silver-plated bronze bonnet ornament depicting Saint George slaying the dragon on 13 September, and her parents' mascot (depicting Britannia atop a globe) on 19 September. The paintwork on that occasion included a royal monogram in the form of a crowned 'E' below the window on each side of the coffin.
Use
The state hearse was first used on 13 September 2022 to transport the coffin of Elizabeth II from RAF Northolt to Buckingham Palace. It was then used on 19 September 2022 to transport the coffin from London's Wellington Arch to St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle for her committal service.
Predecessors
Previous royal hearses have included a Jaguar XJ used for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and a custom built open top Land Rover Defender for the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
See also
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