19.06.2014 - 16:49
One of the images of Felipe VI of Bourbon’s coronation today is the parade through the center of Madrid by the new Spanish king and queen. They made the trip in one of the three exclusive Rolls-Royce Phantom IV that dictator Francisco Franco had built in 1948 for 8,580 British pounds each, in the middle of the postwar era in which Spain was suffering terrible poverty and hunger. The three vehicles, built by hand, were delivered in 1952 and Franco used the convertible for the first time in the “victory parade” of July 18, 1952, commemorating his military overthrow of the Spanish government 16 years earlier which led to the Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939 and Franco’s military dictatorship between 1939 and his death in 1975.
The three Rolls-Royce Phantom IV are the property of the Spanish National Patrimony, although the Royal Family is the only one who uses them regularly.
Indeed, the new king and queen, Felipe and Letizia, already used the same convertible nine years ago on their wedding day, after the vehicle was modified to add security, at a cost of 360,000 euros. The car was also used by the princesses Elena and Cristina during their weddings with Jaime de Marichalar and Iñaki Urdangarín, respectively.
With respect to Francisco Franco’s cars, among which there are gifts from Adolf Hitler, you can read this complete article (in Spanish).
