The UK’s Prince Harry weds Meghan Markle this weekend, and to celebrate the upcoming Royal Wedding, MINI has created a one-off Cooper S designed specifically to commemorate the special occasion and to be donated to the couple’s charity for public auction.
The ‘Royal MINI’ is finished in a predominantly Crystal White shade, but with an intricate roof featuring a hand-made, multi-coloured graphic. Several layers had to be applied by hand on the roof to combine elements of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s national flags: Union Jack and Stars & Stripes.
There are other not-so-subtle touches throughout the exterior and interior, like the 3D printed strips on the side, saying 'M loves H', as well as the 'Just Married' graphic that lights up the floor when a door is opened. While the date of the wedding is immortalized with a graphic on the dashboard. The bespoke graphic seen on the roof has also been applied inside the fully customized cabin for the door trim strips, into the head restraints, and also behind the steering wheel.
The ‘Royal MINI’ started off its life as a MINI Cooper S. Beyond the fancy paintwork and 3D-printing fun, it’s still powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4 cylinder motor that produces 141kw and 280nm, whilst being hooked up to a new 7-speed automatic transmission.
“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,” says Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design.
Following the wedding on the 19th May, the special MINI will be handed over to the Children’s HIV Association (CHIVA) to be auctioned off.
Also worth a look: the MINI X1 and the MINI Cooper S.
FAQ
Q: What makes this Royal MINI Cooper S special compared to a regular MINI?
This one-off Royal MINI features a hand-painted roof combining the Union Jack and Stars and Stripes flags, 3D printed "M loves H" side strips, "Just Married" door lighting, and custom wedding date graphics on the dashboard, making it a unique commemorative piece that no regular MINI will ever have.
Q: How much power does the Royal MINI Cooper S produce?
The Royal MINI Cooper S packs a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 141kW and 280Nm of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, giving it proper performance beneath all that royal bling.
Q: Can I actually buy this Royal Wedding MINI Cooper S?
You can't buy it directly from MINI since it was donated to the Children's HIV Association for charity auction after Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding, so your only shot would be if it ever surfaces at a classic car auction years down the line.
Q: Is this Royal MINI just a marketing stunt or a proper custom build?
This is a proper custom build with genuine hand-applied paintwork, bespoke interior graphics, custom 3D printed elements, and fully personalized cabin details, not just some vinyl stickers slapped on a showroom model.
Should You Buy It?
You can't actually buy this specific Royal MINI since it was a one-off charity piece, but if you're after a regular MINI Cooper S with similar performance specs, expect to pay around R650,000 for a new one in South Africa. The 141kW output and premium build quality make any Cooper S a solid choice if you want something fun and distinctive, though you'll have to create your own royal romance story. This particular car represents MINI at its most creative and charitable, proving that even mass-market brands can create genuinely special one-offs when the occasion calls for it.
