Taxi for Prince Philip - Duke of Edinburgh’s London cab goes on show in Royal museum at Sandringham
The Duke's taxi is going on display at Sandringham. Picture: Matthew Fearn/PA - Credit: PA
An eco-taxi used by the Duke of Edinburgh is going on display after nearly 20 years of Royal service.
Philip, 95, took delivery of the gas-powered Metrocab in 1999, and used the vehicle for engagements in London, allowing him to travel around the capital unnoticed.
Now the museum at Sandringham, near King's Lynn, has announced that the unusual car will feature in its upcoming summer exhibition.
A newsletter on its website said: '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.'
The Metrocab, a liquefied petroleum gas-powered car, was the only one of its type in the world in 1999.
It was best known for its use as the new style of black cab in London and other big cities.
Shortly before the vehicle was delivered, the Queen and her husband were taken for a spin in a converted environmentally friendly gas-powered taxi.
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The Duke is no stranger to the driving seat, and was seen with very famous passengers in a Range Rover less than a year ago.
Philip showed the former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle the personal touch when he drove them and the Queen to Windsor Castle after the Marine One presidential helicopter had landed close to the monarch's Berkshire home during their visit to the UK in April 2016.
The gesture was akin to picking up guests from the airport although the journey only lasted a few minutes, but Mr Obama looked delighted when he discovered Philip would be driving them.
As the Queen and Mrs Obama sat on the rear seats, the Duke looked composed at the wheel of the Range Rover as it made its way around the castle's quadrangle and stopped outside the sovereign's entrance.
Sandringham Museum will be open from April 1. Other exhbits range from the 1939 Merryweather fire engine which once protected the Royal household, to gifts of all shapes and sizes given to the Queen on state visits abroad. It is housed in the former coach houses and stable block which, over the years have also been used as police post, fire brigade station, carving school and Royal garages.
