Prince Philip has handed over the keys to his private London taxi. The royal had used the eco-friendly car to travel incognito around the British capital for the past 18 years, but it will now be going on display in an upcoming exhibition, it has been confirmed. A newsletter on the Sandringham Museum’s website reads: "Also in the Museum there will be a new vehicle on display this year; HRH The Duke of Edinburgh's taxi, which he used for travelling to both official and private engagements in London, has arrived at Sandringham and has been added to the display in the Royal Garages."
Prince Philip pictured in his Metrocab taxi at Buckingham Palace in 1999
Prince Philip, 95, took delivery of the gas-powered Metrocab in 1999. It is understood that the car had been due for significant repairs to keep it roadworthy, and that the palace decided it was the opportune moment to hand it over to a museum for display purposes. Despite the loss of the cab, there is no indication that Philip has given up driving. Less than a year ago, he famously drove former US President Barack Obama, his wife Michelle and the Queen to Windsor Castle during the US couple's official visit to the UK in April 2016. Philip was seen at the wheel of a Range Rover, with Barack in the passenger seat, while the Queen and Michelle sat in the back together as the vehicle made its way around the castle's quadrangle.
The Duke drove Barack and Michelle Obama to Windsor Castle last year
The 1999 taxi will now join around 20 royal vehicles at the Sandringham Museum, including a 1900 Daimler owned by Edward VII. Other cars in the collection include Daimlers owned by George V and the Queen Mother, as well as a state Rolls Royce and a 1963 Range Rover owned by the Queen. Also on display is the late Queen Mother's golf buggy and a reproduction of a Citroen C4 made for the Queen and Princess Margaret when they were children, and later passed on to Prince Charles when he was a young boy. According to the Telegraph, the royal family last year retrieved a miniature V8 Volante, which was used by Prince William when he was young, for Prince George to play in.