The United Kingdom is getting ready to celebrate a special moment, as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be getting married on May 19th. MINI, a British brand by birth, decided to mark the moment with a special, one-off model created for the happy couple. The car will be donated to The Children’s HIV Association (CHIVA) for public auction, all the money raised going to them to help out those in need.
The car is truly a one-off, created from the start to emphasize its special character. The one item that will attract the most attention is the roof. The roof graphic is applied meticulously by hand in several layers and brings together elements of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s national flags – the Union Jack and the Stars & Stripes. The special MINI’s side scuttles around the side turn signal indicators have been 3D-printed and embellish the initials M and H with a heart and rings.
When the car is opened, they project an exclusive “Just Married” welcome onto the ground in front of the driver’s door and front-passenger door. The car is wearing Crystal White paint and has Silver Blue accent strips all around and a black band that wraps around the car features a blue-tinted matte silver paint finish.
Inside the cabin Satellite Grey leather has been chosen and it provides the ideal backdrop against which to accentuate the bespoke elements of the MINI. The blue-black tinted clear coat of the chrome exterior elements can also be found on selected chrome interior features. The first names of the bride and groom, plus the wedding date and good wishes to the newlyweds have been added to the large trim strip ahead of the front passenger seat.
Another special feature of the interior is an accent inspired by the roof graphic, which is integrated into the trim strips in the doors, behind the steering wheel and into the head restraints. On the latter, there is an abstract take on the Union Jack on one side and a Stars & Stripes perforation and stitching on the other.
“As an iconic British brand with almost 60 years of history in the UK, we are pleased to mark the royal wedding with this special charitable gift,” explains Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design. “The MINI Design team has created a one-off MINI Hatch for the occasion. Its specially designed roof graphic combines with 3D-printed personalised interior and exterior details as well as special embroidery to make this a MINI like no other.”
