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Aston Martin receives the Royal Warrant
A Royal Acknowledgement
Having created elite performance cars for over a century we are immensely proud to receive this prestigious seal of approval
By Appointment to His Majesty The King
The Royal Warrant is an institution with a history that stretches back centuries and a commitment that reaches into the future. Aston Martin are honoured to receive this Warrant from King Charles III. It’s a continuation of a story that dates back to 1982 when the company was first granted a Royal Warrant as a Motor Car Manufacturer and Repairer to The Prince of Wales.
Then as now, a Royal Warrant was a finite accolade, awarded for a period of five years. For a warrant to be issued or renewed, a brand must demonstrate a continued commitment to excellence. An ongoing dedication to standards not easily attained. It cannot be bought. It cannot be sponsored. It’s a recognition of the products that the Royal Household itself chooses. Founded in 1484, the College of Arms is responsible for creating and maintaining official registers of coats of arms. Their release of the Royal Crest created for King Charles III means we can now formally apply the prestigious Royal Arms.
The relationship between Aston Martin and the Royal Family started in earnest over 70 years ago, when Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, purchased a Lagonda Drophead Coupé in 1954. Used extensively by the Duke, the car was even winched aboard the royal yacht Britannia to accompany him on his Commonwealth Tour in 1956-1957.
In 1964, Queen Elizabeth II visited Aston Martin’s then headquarters at Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, to celebrate the global success of DB5. A car that became an instant symbol of style, speed and the very best of British after starring in the James Bond film released the same year, Goldfinger.
To mark that royal visit, Aston Martin engineers built a drivable miniature replica of the DB5, complete with dummy machine guns, raisable bulletproof shield, electric water jets, smokescreen device and a two-way radio. Capable of a top speed of 10mph, the miniature car, complete with rotating numberplate registration JB 007, was a much-loved toy for the late Queen’s children. It’s now displayed in the museum at Sandringham.
In 1969, the Queen and Prince Philip’s association with Aston Martin continued when they bought the Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) an Aston Martin DB6 Volante Series II in Seychelles Blue. Perhaps the most iconic of all the Aston Martins that the King has owned over the years, the same car was used at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales in 2011.
As the King said, “It is one of the great cars. I adore the design and the lines. They are special. I remember Lord Snowdon had a marvellous DB5 in a beautiful gunmetal colour. It was always the car to have.” As part of the King’s commitment to sustainability, his DB6 has since been converted to run on E85 bioethanol, minimising its carbon emissions.
This intriguing combination of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary innovation reflects our own approach to car building, which draws on a legacy of passion, skill, and creativity stretching back 112 years.
The quilting and perforating technology that won the innovation category in the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in 2024 is a perfect example. Digital control has opened up a world of bespoke tailoring that would not be possible with traditional methods. This allows our Q by Aston Martin division to craft personalised patterns that also enhance the cooling function of the seats. Blending exclusivity and design with invention.
The Royal Warrant is an honour that we’re proud to bear in the form of the Royal Coat of Arms. By appointment to His Majesty The King.
