Prince Philip designed his own hearse by customizing Land Rover

LONDON (AP) – Prince Philip, who loved and drove Land Rovers for much of his life, will make his final journey in one – a no-nonsense vehicle customized to his directions down to its military green color .

The modified Land Rover TD5 130 will transport Prince Philip’s coffin in a procession at Windsor Castle on Saturday, while the Queen and other members of the Royal Family follow for the funeral and burial at St. George’s Chapel.

Buckingham Palace said the prince’s hearse was built at the Land Rover factory in Solihull in 2003, when Philip turned 82, and was modified over the years with an open back to hold his coffin, with the latest changes until 2019, the year he turned 98. Philip died on April 9 at the age of 99.

Among other things, Philip asked for it to be repainted in dark bronze-green, a color used in military Land Rovers.

The simple vehicle and military look reflect the man himself, a blunt former naval officer. Before marrying the future Queen Elizabeth, Philip, then a prince of the Greek royal family, in 1947. served as an officer in the British Royal Navy during World War II and took part in the battles of Cape Matapan and Crete in 1941.

Land Rover has maintained the vehicle since its construction and, in collaboration with the royal family, kept it ready for the funeral.

Land Rover CEO Thierry Bollore said the company was “very privileged” to work with the Prince, who visited the company’s sites over the years and met hundreds of the company’s employees. The company was “honored” that one of its vehicles would be used at the funeral.