An electric car with unmatched royal provenance – a Jaguar I-Pace purchased in 2018 by His Majesty King Charles for his personal use – is to be sold in the UK at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday 2nd March by Historics Auctioneers.
Not only was this the first electric car to be owned by a member of the royal family, but it fell to the then Prince of Wales, celebrated as a committed environmentalist and champion of conservation, to lead the charge.
Purchasing the range-topping I-Pace EV400 HSE all-wheel-drive luxury five-seater for some £60,000, he took delivery in September 2018, preceded by a fast charger having been installed at Clarence House, his official London residence.
At his personal request, the high-specification car was uniquely finished in ‘Loire Blue’, and remains the only I-Pace to be painted in this colour, whilst those inside the car enjoyed a sumptuous, contrasting leather interior in, fittingly, Light Oyster Windsor.
Driven in person, accompanied by Queen Camilla and other member of the royal family during his tenure, the car was returned to Jaguar in December 2020 after some 3,000 miles, and was subsequently offered for sale through its appointed dealer, Jaguar North Oxford.
For the current owner of the car, Karen French of Bampton, Oxfordshire, it was a serendipity moment: “This I-Pace was exactly what I was looking for and pretty much on my doorstep. It was only when I agreed to buy it that I discovered its extraordinary history – I was absolutely thrilled. Having driven it over 30,000 miles”, she added, ”I decided in the New Year that it was time for a change.”
Historics’ Head of Auctions, Mathew Priddy, emphasised the car’s enduring collector car value, stating: “We are thrilled to bring this royal icon to auction. It’s an unrepeatable piece of electric motoring history. With the Jaguar I-Pace being discontinued ahead of Jaguar’s re-launch in 2025, this will remain surely the most significant example, which will be reflected in its increasing value.”
After 35,000 miles, the King’s electric Jaguar remains in exemplary condition. Estimated at £55,000-£70,000, it will come to sale at Historics’ open-to-public auction of 180 fine classic and collector cars at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday, 2nd March, commencing 9.30am.
For full details and to bid at the auction, or by phone and online, see www.historics.co.uk