Prince William and Kate Middleton’s Surprisingly Normal Car Collection

From humble early cars to large SUVs and cutting-edge EVs, the Prince and Princess of Wales have a shared passion for motoring. We’re used to seeing the couple drive around in luxury limousines, but they also enjoy driving.

Join us on a trip down memory lane as we look back at the surprising array of cars that have received the royal seal of approval from William and Kate.

Volkswagen Golf – William

The first time William was photographed behind the wheel was in 1999, at the Highgrove Estate, after passing his driving test in a modest Ford Focus Mk 1.

It was just five weeks after his 17th birthday and followed 20 driving lessons. The prince sat for his practical test after taking his theory test the day after his birthday.

Passing his driving test meant William got to drive his Volkswagen Golf, which was a birthday present from his father – Prince Charles

Volkswagen Golf – Kate

Coincidentally, Kate Middleton, his future wife and now Princess of Wales, owned a VW Golf at the same time.

She purchased the car in 2001 while at the University of St. Andrews, where she met William.

Audi A3

In 2007, Kate gave her Golf to her brother James and traded it in for a smarter Audi A3 hatchback.

Audi A5

And the German manufacturer’s stylish cars have been a constant in William and Kate’s automotive history.

For example, Kate was photographed leaning against William’s Audi A5 while chatting to his private secretary, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, as William and Harry competed in the Chakravarty Cup at the Beaufort Polo Club, near Tetbury, in 2009.

Audi A7

William and Kate were also pictured getting into their new Audi A7 car after the Audi Polo Challenge charity polo match at Coworth Park Polo Club, Ascot, in 2012.

Ducati 1198S

William also has a passion for motorbikes. In 2009, he turned up in style on his Ducati 1198S for a polo match – again at Coworth Park. With a black helmet, the anonymity of riding a motorbike must have appealed to one of the world’s most famous people.

Aston Martin DB6 MKII Vantage Volante

Probably the car most associated with William and Kate is the Aston Martin DB6 MKII Vantage Volante that the newlyweds borrowed to drive to the reception at Buckingham Palace in 2011.

William’s father, the then Prince of Wales, lent his beloved Aston to the couple and the photos of them driving off in the car with “L” plaques and ribbons were one of the highlights of their wedding day.

The car itself was a 21st birthday present given to Charles by his parents in November 1969.

Range Rover

Prince William – then the Duke of Cambridge – chose a Range Rover to collect Kate and their newborn son (now Prince George) from St Mary’s Hospital on July 23, 2013.

Range Rovers have long been a favorite of the Royal Family, and this example became one of the most photographed cars in the world that day.

In 2006, it was advertised for sale for £150,000 — about three times the value of a standard Range Rover, without the royal heritage.

Audi SUV

In 2019, Kate was back behind the wheel of an Audi again – this time an SUV. She drove Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to the late Queen’s annual Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace.

Land Rover

The Royal Family’s relationship with Land Rover dates back to the beginning of classless 4×4 in 1948, when King George VI, their grandfather, was given the 100th Land Rover built as a gift.

In 2021, William and Kate paid tribute to Prince Philip by driving one of his beloved Land Rovers to an event at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh to honour the efforts of healthcare workers during the pandemic.

The 1966 Land Rover 2A model belonged to the late Duke of Edinburgh and was loaned to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge by the Queen.

Audi RS E-Tron GT

The Prince of Wales got behind the wheel of a high-performance, all-electric Audi RS E-Tron GT in January 2024 for a hospital visit after undergoing abdominal surgery.

DISCOVER: What Princess Kate, Meghan Markle and other royals keep in their cars

As always, William was closely followed by his security team, this time in a Land Rover Discovery.