Bentley Continental Flying Spurs Get the Royal Treatment

Just the Facts:

• Viscount Linley, the 14th in line to the British throne, has left his stamp on a very exclusive run of Bentley Continental Flying Spurs bound for China.
• The Linley Flying Spurs get special wood and can even be outfitted with a humidor in the rear console.
• A cashmere blanket is tucked into the trunk of the limited-edition Flying Spurs.

LONDON — Viscount David Linley, the 14th in line to the British throne, has left his stamp on a very exclusive run of Bentley Continental Flying Spurs. The limited-edition run of just 10 Continental Flying Spurs, with such goodies as a humidor and a cashmere blanket, are bound for China.

Even more intriguing than the car is the fact that one of the royals — albeit minor — has stooped to dabble in car design.

Usually, high-end automakers such as Rolls-Royce are the ones courting the Queen of England and straining to get noticed during such events as April's royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton. The Aston Martin DB6 and the newlyweds' spin in it was the high point of that stellar event.

The new collaboration by the automaker and the royal family is described by Bentley as "two great British brands working closely together."

Viscount Linley, 49, is the first cousin once removed of Princes William and Harry and the son of the Queen's late sister Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones, the Earl of Snowden. Linley's daughter Margarita was a bridesmaid at William and Kate's wedding.

Bentley proved to be very discreet about exploiting its connection with the royal family, providing details about Viscount Linley in a modest footnote in its press release about the limited-edition cars. It didn't even call him Viscount — that tidbit can be found in Debrett's Peerage & Baronetage Guide, which chronicles the royals and describes Linley as a "career furniture designer." Linley owns a bespoke furniture design company and has written books on design — an unusual working royal by most accounts.

The minor royal left only minor touches on the Bentleys, since he was not able to change sheet metal or major details. Instead of the usual chestnut or walnut wood in the cabin, he incorporated Santos rosewood, said to be more difficult to work with since it has a straight grain veneer.

Stainless-steel Linley treadplates are also used on the car, along with a Linley for Bentley rhodium-plated plaque in the glovebox. No word about pricing thus far.

Inside Line says: The lines continue to blur between royals and commoners when it comes to luxury-car design. But we're still holding our breath for a Duchess of Cambridge — a.k.a Kate Middleton — Aston Martin.