The Queen's luxe electric buggy features cup holders, Bluetooth speakers and a fridge
Watch: Queen tours Chelsea Flower Show in electric buggy
The Queen has delighted royal fans by touring the Chelsea Flower Show from the comfort of a customised electric buggy, complete with cup holders and Bluetooth speakers.
The monarch, 96, who has recently been experiencing some mobility issues, was driven around the annual event in a six-seater Royal Household electric vehicle, dubbed the “Queenmobile” in reference to the Popemobile often used by Pope Francis.
The vehicle was driven by a chauffeur in a peaked cap, from the monarch’s staff, as president of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Keith Weed sat beside the Queen and gave her a running commentary of the many gardens she stopped to view.
Looking relaxed and happy, the Queen matched some of the floral displays in a colour pop Stewart Parvin pink coat and an ivory dress.
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Sat at the rear with their backs to the Queen was the RHS president’s wife Kate Weed and a lady-in-waiting who held a number of bouquets given to the Queen.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the vehicle, which was built by Danish firm Garia, was a Royal Household buggy and a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “Adjustments have been made for the Queen’s comfort.”
The Sun reported in March that the Queen had taken delivery of the new £62,000 luxury golf buggy, which has a lithium battery, leather seats and bluetooth speakers, to help her get around Windsor.
The buggy is reportedly capable of a top speed of 43mph, though the monarch kept well below that as the vehicle slowly wove its way through the gardens and crowds.
The gadget-packed vehicle also reportedly has all-weather covers, a fridge and infotainment screen.
Images and videos of the monarch being driven around the Chelsea Flower Show yesterday, reveal the custom vehicle also comes with cup holders.
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Love the Queen's little buggy, which comes equipped with cup holders https://t.co/2R0wCL09XG
— Lizzie Roberts (@lizrob92) May 23, 2022
While it may have seemed like a royal first for the monarch to utilise a golf buggy for an official event, it actually isn't the first time the Queen has been seen in a golf buggy.
Nine years ago in 2013 during the Coronation Festival she appeared in a similar vehicle in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.
She also used one during a tour to Australia in 2011, when she visited Government House in Canberra.
The transportation move seems to follow in the footsteps of the Queen Mother, who toured the grounds of the Chelsea Flower Show in 2001 in what was nicknamed the Queen Mum Mobile – a bespoke golf cart.
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During yesterday's event the Queen was accompanied by several family members, including her son Prince Edward, his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, along with the queen’s granddaughter Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
The monarch's cousins, the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra, were also in attendance.
Monty Don, the BBC Gardeners’ World presenter, chatted to the Queen about about people turning to gardening during the pandemic.
She told the celebrity gardener: “It’s probably very therapeutic, digging.”
During the tour she also stopped at the Hands Off Mangrove garden by Grow2Know, which aims to highlight global deforestation and racial injustice.
She asked co-designer Danny Clarke how long it took to create. “Two and a half years,” he replied. “Covid helped!” she laughed.
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Joe Little, of Majesty magazine, said of the Queen’s use of a buggy: “It’s an extremely practical arrangement that will allow the Queen to take part in as many engagements as she is able to do.”
Juliet Sargeant was stood beside her design for the new BBC Blue Peter garden as she chatted to the Queen, and said later about her visit by buggy: “It’s great, the same with anybody with mobility issues it’s just great to find a way to do what you love.
“And, as we’ve been told, she loves gardens and it’s a great way for her to be able to pursue her passion.”
The six-seater buggy made its public debut as other members of the royal family toured the site at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London by foot.
Additional reporting PA.
