The Duke of Edinburgh's Standard Nine survives in Sri Lanka

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, owned this car in Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon, during his time stationed there with the British Navy in 1940.

The vehicle was a 1935 two-door Standard Nine that he purchased for £12. Actually, the Lieutenant as he was at the time, paid 2 equal instalments of £6 and was unable to beat down the price any lower that that. This is s notable as it was the Lieutenants first car.

This historic car is now preserved and showcased as the centerpiece of a museum at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The hotel's owner, Sanjeev Gardiner, inherited the car from his late Father, Cyril who bought it from the Prince in the early 1950s.

Prince Philip maintained an interest in the car, even visiting it during a return trip to Sri Lanka. The car has been restored multiple times and is still drivable, although not currently taken on the road due to high insurance costs. The Duke accepted Honorary Membership of the Standard Motor Club.

The museum display not only highlights the vehicle’s royal provenance, but also tells the story of its journey through time, including photographs of Prince Philip with the car and documentation of its restoration process.

Visitors to the Galle Face Hotel often regard the car as a tangible link to a bygone era, emblematic of both colonial history and the Duke’s enduring connection to Sri Lanka.

The exhibit has become a point of pride for the hotel and a unique attraction for history enthusiasts and royal admirers alike, serving as a reminder of how even modest possessions can carry remarkable stories across generations.

Phil Homer

Historian, SMC