The Rolls Royce Phantom IV is a British automobile produced by Rolls-Royce. Only eighteen were made between 1950 and 1956. They were only built for buyers whom Rolls-Royce considered worthy of the distinction: the British Royal Family and heads of state. Sixteen are currently known to still exist in museums as well as in public and private collections.
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On this 17th Day of July, in commemoration of the Kabaka’s belated birthday the Katikiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayinga presented to His Majesty Kabaka Ronald Mutebi the refurbished Roll’s Royce that belonged to his father Kabaka Muteesa II.
The IV is the only Rolls-Royce motorcar to be fitted with a straight-8 engine, which was powerful but could also run long distances at a very low speed, an important feature for ceremonial and parade cars.
In 1948 the Duke of Edinburgh heard about the Bentley nicknamed Scalded Cat and asked if he might test it out. He enjoyed this experimental car immensely and drove it for considerable distances. When he returned it, he apparently murmured about how nice it would be to have a car with performance in the Royal Mews. On 15 November 1948, not long after Prince Philip had driven the aforementioned automobile, an order came through for a Rolls-Royce motor car for Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. They placed the order through The Car Mart, Ltd., RR official retailers. Such a vehicle would have to meet their official needs which meant it must be a limousine; it would also have to have good performance since the Prince wished to drive it himself. The car would be the first Rolls-Royce in the stables. It was originally planned to be the only Phantom IV, a strictly one-off piece.
The automobile was completed in July 1950 its delivery was accompanied by a public announcement stating the Phantom IV had been “designed to the special order of Their Royal Highnesses, the Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh”.
The limousine became an official state car of the United Kingdom upon Princess Elizabeth’s accession to the throne in 1952; as such, it was repainted in the sovereign’s colour scheme of royal claret and black. It remains in the Royal Mews and is still occasionally used for royal and state occasions. For example, it was used at the wedding of Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton to carry Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, from Clarence House to Westminster Abbey. In 2018 it brought Meghan Markle to St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle for her marriage to Prince Harry.
