Buckingham Palace reveals luxury gifts to Royals, including a Rolls-Royce and a Ukrainian mosaic

Buckingham Palace has released detailed records of official gifts presented to the Royal Family from 2020 to 2023, revealing a fascinating array of items ranging from luxury vehicles to unique cultural artefacts. The disclosures provide rare insight into the symbolic exchanges that accompany the monarchy’s diplomatic and ceremonial duties.

One of the most striking gifts was a Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II, presented to King Charles by the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, in May 2023. Valued at approximately £329,545 ($443,575), the luxury SUV is designated for official use, including state occasions, rather than personal use. The gift arrived in the month of King Charles’s coronation, marking a significant moment of diplomatic goodwill.

Alongside the Rolls-Royce, King Charles received traditional gifts from Amazonian Indigenous leaders Uyunkar Domingo Peas Nampichkai and Atossa Soltani: a feather crown, two beaded chest pieces, and two carved staffs. These culturally rich offerings underscore the global respect and recognition the monarchy commands.

Former US president Joe Biden and then-first lady Jill Biden also contributed to the royal collection with a leather folder containing letters exchanged between Queen Elizabeth II and former US president Dwight D Eisenhower. The gift reflects the longstanding diplomatic ties between the UK and the United States.

In April 2023, King Charles and Queen Camilla were presented with two gold Blue Peter badges during a visit to Liverpool. These badges, iconic symbols of the beloved British children’s TV show, were bestowed by Blue Peter presenters ahead of Liverpool hosting the Eurovision Song Contest. The badges are a nod to the royal couple’s engagement with British cultural institutions.

Another notable presentation occurred during King Charles’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February 2023. The King was gifted a framed mosaic, a scrolled document about the historic St Sophia Cathedral, and a signed Ukrainian ship’s flag. These items carry deep cultural and historical significance, reflecting solidarity amid ongoing geopolitical challenges.

The late Queen Elizabeth II also received unique gifts during this period. In 2022, to mark her Platinum Jubilee year, Pope Francis gifted her a Cedar of Lebanon tree—a symbol of longevity and resilience. Earlier, during a visit to the Coronation Street set in Greater Manchester in 2021, the Queen was presented with a cobble from the original set, gin glasses etched with the Manchester skyline, a book titled 60 Years of Coronation Street, and a bottle of Coronation Street gin. These gifts celebrate the Queen’s enduring connection with British popular culture.

Prince William and Catherine, then the Duchess of Cambridge, received a toiletries set in 2020 from the president of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, and his wife Sabina Higgins, underscoring the warm ties between the British and Irish heads of state.

Official gifts to the Royal Family are held in trust and become part of the Royal Collection, preserved for future generations and the nation. The royals do not pay tax on such gifts, and they cannot be sold or exchanged. Perishable gifts valued under £150 can be donated to charity or staff, while edible items may be consumed.

These gift exchanges, ranging from opulent vehicles to culturally significant tokens, reflect the monarchy’s role in fostering international relations, supporting cultural diplomacy, and maintaining historic connections. They offer a glimpse into the ceremonial fabric that underpins the British monarchy’s place on the world stage.