A former royal employee has spoken about King Charles and other members of the Royal Family and how he thinks things might change with Prince William and Kate Middleton in the future
King Charles has made headlines in recent years with a couple of interesting automotive changes, including converting his beloved Aston Martin to run on wine and cheese waste and including more electric cars in the Royal Family’s fleet.
However, former royal butler Grant Harrold has explained that there is one thing the monarch won’t need to carry around while driving, despite being known as a bit of a petrol head.
Harrold, who worked for the Royal Family between 2004 and 2011, explained that the King does not need a driving licence because they are issued in his name. Although he will have been given one when he sat his driving test as a young prince.
He said: “As Monarch, the King doesn’t technically need a licence. This is because they are issued in his name. However he’ll have one anyway as he would have needed it when he was the Prince of Wales. And again, he would have taken a test just like everyone else.”
Grant told Select Car Leasing: “All the royals have to learn to drive just like the rest of us. They have to do the same theory and practical tests, and have to do all the revision and practise that comes with them.
“They have driving lessons like everyone else using a professional instructor, likely someone from the local area. The chosen instructor would have gone through security checks, but apart from that it’s not much different to how normal teens learn.”
Previously, Jack Cousens, the AA’s head of roads policy, explained that not needing a driving licence is a privilege reserved for the monarch. This means that Queen Camilla will still need to have the important document.
Speaking to the Mirror in 2022, he said: “Only the Monarch receives this privilege so all other Royals would need a driving licence.” He added that the entitlement does not extend to Camilla, as “the Queen still needs a licence to drive.”
The expert went on to explain that not needing a licence isn’t the only motoring privilege enjoyed by the King. He said: “The Monarch will use predominantly use State Vehicles and these do not require number plates. Similar to licences, number plates are issued by His/Her Majesty’s Government under His/Her Majesty’s authority.”
While the King, like many royals, is said to have taken private driving lessons as a teenager, Harrold believes Prince William and Princess Kate could opt for a different approach with their three children.
He said: “When it comes to teaching George, Charlotte and Louis how to drive, I wonder if Kate and William might take a more hands on approach as they do with so much of their private lives.
“I could imagine Kate getting behind the wheel and teaching them herself when they’re old enough. She’s a very calm person so I think she would make a great teacher.”
