Land Rover Classic To Display Vehicles of HM Queen Elizabeth II at ModaMiami

Collection of royal family Land Rovers to be on display on ModaMiami. (Photo courtesy RM Sotheby’s)

Billed as the East Coast’s ultimate luxury experience, ModaMiami plans to feature an exclusive display of Royal-affiliated Land Rovers, including State Review vehicles and personal estate cars, honoring Queen Elizabeth II’s lifelong connection to Land Rover and her dedication to service. The display will showcase five vehicles used by the royal family, either in an official capacity or as part of the household fleet.

The vehicles on display will include those from Land Rover Classic, the British Motor Museum and a private collection. It will also showcase two of the earliest Royal vehicles: the first Land Rover Series I State Review vehicle and a Land Rover Series I owned by the Royal family.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II dedicated her life to service and was the first female member of the royal family to volunteer for military duty when she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service in February 1945. Her specialty was driving and servicing military and rescue vehicles. It is said that this time sparked her love of driving and the mechanical aspects of vehicles, which lasted a lifetime. Vehicles in this collection include:

1954 Land Rover Series I State Review

The very first State Review Land Rover vehicle featured a custom-designed rear platform and accompanied HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on a six-month tour of the Commonwealth. This particular vehicle was sent to Australia for that leg of the tour and is now under the care of a private collector in the United States.

1954 Land Rover Series I (NXN 1)

Originally ordered by HM King George VI, it was used by HM Queen Elizabeth II and other senior members of the royal family at Balmoral. Land Rover apprentices restored it in 2010, and it now resides in the Land Rover Classic collection.

1990 Range Rover State Review

The second State Review Range Rover ever created, this is featured in the image chosen by HM Queen Elizabeth II for her 1994 Christmas card. In it, she and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, are pictured attending the 50th Anniversary of D-Day Landings in Arromanches. This vehicle is part of the British Motor Museum collection.

1983 Defender 110 V8

A personal vehicle commissioned and used by HM Queen Elizabeth II, it was used on Crown estates Sandringham and Balmoral and was ideal for rural transport and royal pursuits. The car is fitted with special equipment, leather seats, and a special radio system and was finished in a dark green paint of Queen Elizabeth II’s choice. With grab handles and footsteps, it is suitable for shooting and fishing trips. This vehicle is part of the British Motor Museum collection.

2005 Range Rover L322 State Review

This is the fifth State I Royal Review vehicle provided by Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations. Like all State vehicles, this one is painted in the royal color claret and boasts hand-painted crests on the doors and tailgate. It features the royal crown topped by a golden-crowned lion, which is part of the royal Coat of Arms. The crown is surrounded by a garter bearing the motto “Honi soit qui mal y pense” (meaning “shame on him who thinks evil of it”). This symbolizes the Order of the Garter, an ancient order of knighthood.

The specially adapted rear platform from which the royal party can look out has the same black leather upholstery as inside the driver’s cabin. The tailgate folds down to reveal a set of stairs so the royal party can easily access the platform. This vehicle was famously used to transport the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry during Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday parade in 2016. This vehicle is part of the British Motor Museum collection.

ModaMiami will take place at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida, March 1-2, 2025.