King Charles is fiercely protective of his one-of-a-kind Aston Martin DB6 MkII Volante — the bioethanol-fuelled royal car that runs on cheese and wine — and reportedly caused a 'big hoo-ha' after issuing strict instructions to a staff member told to drive it. The King has long been recognised for his strong commitment to sustainability and the environment, and that encompasses motoring enthusiasts.
The Unique Vehicle and Its Eco-Friendly Modification
His Majesty's exceptional Aston Martin DB6 MkII Volante is extremely rare, and it is seldom that he will let anyone else touch the car. It is a one-of-a-kind vehicle. The King's enduring dedication to environmental matters prompted an unusual modification to the car years before environmentalism gained widespread acceptance. The sought-after British classic genuinely does operate on 'cheese and wine.' He told the BBC in 2021: 'I’ve got electric cars now but it’s been so difficult. My old Aston Martin, which I’ve had for 51 years, runs on – can you believe this – surplus English white wine and whey from the cheese process.'
The bioethanol is manufactured by a Gloucestershire-based firm called Green Fuels, which collaborated with Aston Martin heritage specialist RS Williams Ltd to adapt the King’s DB6 to operate on sustainable waste. The car was originally a 21st birthday present.
Former Butler Reveals Protective Nature
Yet the King remains fiercely protective of the distinctive vehicle, which has resulted in something of a 'hoo-ha' previously, according to former royal butler Grant Harrold. Speaking on behalf of Select Car Leasing, Grant revealed that His Majesty would not permit even his sons William and Harry to drive the bespoke car. Discussing royal vehicles, Grant disclosed: 'The King famously has his Aston Martin, which was a 21st birthday present. It’s an Aston Martin DB6 MkII Volante in Seychelles Blue.'
'But the interesting thing about it is that he had it modified in 2008 so it runs on wine and cheese. We couldn’t believe it when we found out; we used to joke about it a lot in the staff room. Prince William used to mock his dad for it a lot, in a loving way of course, but it’s just such a random thing to do.'
Environmental Dedication and Criticism
'But he’s so conscious of the environment,' Grant added, 'and was long before it became mainstream. He was always looking for ways he could protect the environment; it’s something he’s so passionate about.' However, some have viewed the King’s environmental dedication as merely symbolic. Greg Archer, UK director of T&E, a European clean transport campaign group, told The Guardian: 'Prince Charles’s quaint solution to decarbonise his Aston Martin using a high blend of bioethanol made from cheese and wine wastes should not be mistaken for a serious solution to decarbonise vehicles.'
'On a large scale, biofuels do more harm than good,' Archer added, 'driving deforestation and land use change that worsens the climate crisis.' Dr Chris Malins, a consultant on alternative fuels policy and sustainability, stated that Charles’s Aston Martin represents a 'boutique' case and the modification could not realistically function on a broader scale.
Loan to William and Kate on Wedding Day
Nevertheless, Grant reveals that the King has a deep attachment to his Aston: 'He’s very, very protective of that car. He never let anyone else drive it. It was a big issue, as I remember both William and Harry wanting to drive it, but he wouldn’t let them. He let William and Kate borrow it on their wedding day, and that was a big deal.'
'I remember on one occasion when one of the chefs had to drive it back from the airport, and it was a massive honour, but it caused a big hoo-ha. I remember him giving him strict instructions about how slow to drive it and what to do.'
'He used to drive it around Tetbury with the roof down. People’s faces when he went past were just priceless. I remember once this woman almost pulled her husband over when she grabbed him because she was so shocked to see him driving normally. Of course, he would always give a little wave.'
