Prince William's favorite car is a classic model with family ties.
In an interview with Country Life magazine, the future king shared some of his most treasured items, among them his two dogs and his trusty Land Rover Defender.
"A 2016 model, in British racing green, this is one of the last classic Defenders," he said. "It's one of those great British countryside icons."
While the royal family has an impressive fleet of historic and luxury vehicles including golden carriages, Rolls-Royces and Bentleys, William expressed a more humble connection to his 10-year-old four-wheel drive.
"I can take it anywhere to do anything. It's sturdy, reliable and – above all – not flash," William said.
Where did the Land Rover story begin?
The Land Rover story began in 1947, when engineer Maurice Wilks
sketched the outline of a car in the sand at a Welsh beach. Wilks, who wanted to create a car for farmers navigating rugged terrain, ended up creating a model that would become affiliated with royalty.
The following year, Wilks' design went into initial production, with an early model prototype gifted to Prince William's great-grandfather, King George VI in 1948.
The company gave the king the 100th production Land Rover, a vehicle "that proved to be an ideal fit for his young family and their passion for country pursuits," according to Land Rover Sarasota.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip adored their Land Rovers
In choosing the defender as his favorite car, William is the fourth generation of the House of Windsor to embrace the model.
William's love for his defender likely stems from his grandparents, who were frequently spotted behind the wheel of their Land Rovers. The late Queen Elizabeth II and husband Prince Philip were often photographed driving around their estates of Balmoral in Scotland and at Sandringham in Norfolk, even as they entered their 90s.
In January 2019, 97-year-old Philip crashed his Land Rover, flipping it onto one side and sparking debate over what age elderly people should be forced to stop driving. While the queen's husband was uninjured, he was shaken by the incident, which injured two others. The following month, Philip voluntarily surrendered his driving license.
When Philip died at the age of 99 in April 2021, a bespoke land rover carried his coffin. In the years before his death, the duke worked with Land Rover to design the defender hearse, which would carry him on his final journey.
Five years before his death, the 94-year-old was spotted behind the wheel of a navy Range Rover, a model manufactured by Land Rover. Barack Obama rode in the passenger seat as former first lady Michelle Obama sat in the back of the vehicle alongside the queen.
In September, Range Rover unveiled its first fully electric model in what was hailed as the "start of a new era."
Before becoming queen, then-Princess Elizabeth volunteered as an auto mechanic during World War II, sparking her fascination with vehicles. During her life time, the queen reportedly owned around 30 of them – more than any other model.
Following the queen's death in September 2022, Land Rover paid tribute to the monarch.
"Our relationship with the Queen has been a source of great pride for all," the company said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Prince William's favorite car was also adored by the late Queen Elizabeth
