A car which once belonged to Princess Diana has sold at auction for £650,000.
The black Ford Escort was driven by Diana from August 23, 1985, to May 1, 1988, and went under the hammer at Silverstone Auctions on Saturday.
She was pictured driving the RS Turbo Series 1 outside the boutique shops of Chelsea and the restaurants of Kensington.
Diana preferred to drive her own car and had a member of the Royalty Protection Command (SO14) in the passenger seat.
It is believed to be unique as the first and only black RS Turbo Series 1, as agreed by S014 and the Ford PR department for reasons of discretion, instead of the only-white manufactured model.
The Ford factory’s special vehicle engineering department was tasked to supply the car and it fitted a regular five-slat front grille to assist in the ‘stealth makeover’.
There was also a secondary rear-view mirror for the protection officer with a radio in the glove box, with the cable still visible.
The car has just 24,961 miles on the clock.
Arwel Richards, a classic car specialist at Silverstone Auctions, said: ‘The RS Turbo is a driver’s car and the late Diana, Princess of Wales was clearly a fan.
‘It was a fascinating choice for the daughter of an earl, mother of the future king, and the daughter-in-law of the Queen to choose.
‘Isn’t it fascinating that the Escort RS Turbo was to be synonymous with the white stilettos of Essex but it’s first champion was the most glamorous woman on Earth?’
In June 2021, another Ford Escort used by Diana sold at auction for £52,000.
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