Description
Kelham Hall | Newark, Nottinghamshire
Viewing: Tues 17th March 2026 from 12pm
Auction: Weds 18th March 2026
Location: Kelham Hall Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5QX
2013 Bentley Mulsanne
Originally loaned to the Royal Household and used by HM King Charles III for multiple official engagements
Estimate
£60, 000 - £70, 000
Registration No: DA63 XGO
Chassis No: SCBBA63Y1EC018879
MOT: May 2026
Allocated to the Royal Household when new and used by the then Prince of Wales (now H. M. King Charles III.)
Part of Bentley's Press and Special Vehicle Department Fleet until 2017
Just c. 34, 000 miles from new and reputedly in a private collection from 2017 until 2022
Supplied with documented service history, the most recent maintenance being completed at 33, 281 miles by premium car specialist John Holland
Excellent condition throughout and able to boast Royal provenance!
The Bentley Mulsanne is named after the Mulsanne Straight of the Le Mans racing circuit, Bentley cars having won six victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the past. In 2010, Bentley brought back the Mulsanne nameplate that had last been used in 1992; the new Mulsanne replaced the hugely successful Arnage and was unveiled at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August, 2009. In keeping with the Arnage, the Mulsanne retained the 6, 750cc V8 engine, but it was lighter and featured cylinder de-activation and variable cam phasing to improve fuel efficiency. It was the first flagship car to be independently designed by Bentley Motors in nearly 80 years, the last being W. O. Bentley's Eight-Litre model of 1930.
While it originally favoured Daimlers and then progressed to Rolls-Royces after the Second World War, for many years Bentley has been the Royal Family’s marque of choice, an association most strongly represented by the two elegant State Limousines specially constructed for the late Queen Elizabeth in 2002, which have remained in service ever since. For junior royals, a range of other Bentleys has been employed, of which this outstanding Mulsanne, the 21st century’s limousine par excellence, is one. It was one of a number of Mulsannes allocated for Royal service, after the first were completed to a special specification for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012. We understand that two Mulsannes remain in use as state cars, while a number of others fulfil “semi-state” functions – defined as “less formal situations and general support.
‘DA63 XGO’ belonged originally to Bentley Motor Cars’ Press and Special Vehicles Dept., from which it was allocated to the Royal Family in December, 2013, and many photographs exist of it providing transport for the Prince of Wales – the present King Charles III. – on a number of occasions. Whenever one considers the Mulsanne, it would be remiss not to refer to The Sunday Times’s charming prose: “[it] manages the beguiling trick of combining the atmosphere of a country house library with the ability to out-accelerate most sports cars, a feat all the more surprising in light of its unmissable scale.” In other words, there could be no better car for a future king. Our car remained in Bentley’s possession until 2017, when it was sold into private hands. We understand it then formed part of a collection until 2022, when it was sold again, and it has been in the present ownership since 2023.
As is to be expected, ‘DA63 XGO’ was constructed to an extremely high specification, with original equipment including four-wheel air suspension, burr walnut interior trim, a rear-view parking camera, power windows, cruise control, power-adjustable lumbar support in the front and outer rear seats, a leather multi-function steering wheel, a built-in navigation system, 21in alloy wheels, a power-closing boot lid, digital radio and television reception, and a heat-insulating windscreen. It remains in its beautiful original colours of Dark Sapphire with a Magnolia leather interior.
The Bentley has been comprehensively maintained both during and after its Royal service, as evidenced by the nine service stamps, all from Bentley agents or marque specialists. Following the initial pre-delivery inspection by the Press and Special Vehicles Dept. on December 10th, 2013, ‘DA63 XGO’ was subsequently serviced by Bentley Manchester (undated); Jack Barclay (February, 2015, at 4, 013 miles); the Press and Special Vehicles Dept. (January, 2016, at 7, 871 miles); Bentley Manchester (July, 2017, at 11, 018 miles, July, 2018, at 18, 482 miles and August, 2019, at 27, 202 miles); JCT600 (February, 2022, at 31, 018 miles); and John Holland (May, 2023, at 33, 281 miles).
When it was last offered for sale, our Mulsanne was described as being in “showroom condition” and we have no cause to dispute that. In the present ownership, it has continued to be used sparingly and sympathetically and both paint and interior maintain in exceptionally good order throughout. Mechanically, we are advised that it has always started and driven well, and we are pleased to report that it passed its most recent MOT test in May, 2025, at 34, 210 miles with no advisories. Further to the MOT, the Bentley is also supplied with its current V5C, the Service Handbook and Quick Reference Guide, and three sets of keys. Luxury cars do not come finer, or much rarer, than the Bentley Mulsanne – by the end of production in 2020, we understand fewer than 700 of the 7, 929 manufactured had been supplied to the British market – and the provenance of this car surely makes it the ne plus ultra of modern Bentleys.
PLEASE NOTE: Photographs including (the then) Prince of Wales are included for historical/ documentary purposes.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
