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King Charles III owns a classic 1970s sports car that's run entirely on wine and whey, a byproduct of the cheesemaking process. The Monarch held the keys to a stunning Seychelles Blue 1970 Aston Martin DB6 Volante over 55 years ago as a 21st birthday present. However, five decades on, the car remains one of Charles' most prized possessions.

The model was kept in its original condition until 2008, when the then Prince of Wales took on an extensive redesign to boost the car's green credentials. It is understood that the bioethanol is produced by a Gloucestershire-based company that has worked with Aston Martin heritage specialists to convert the car. The royal spoke about the car in an interview with the BBC back in 2021.

Charles said: "I've got electric cars now but it's been so difficult. My old Aston Martin, which I've had for 51 years, runs on - can you believe this - surplus English white wine, and whey from the cheese process."

The newly remodelled car had its moment in the rural spotlight back in 2011, when Prince William drove it with Kate Middleton on his wedding day. However, campaigners have still previously voiced their concerns about the King's redesign.

Greg Archer, UK director of Transport&Environment, a clean transport campaign group, stressed the idea was not a "serious solution" to reducing carbon on the roads.

He has previously explained: "Prince Charles's quaint solution to decarbonise his Aston Martin using a high blend of bioethanol made from cheese and wine wastes should not be mistaken for a serious solution to decarbonise vehicles. On a large scale, biofuels do more harm than good, driving deforestation and land use change that worsens the climate crisis."

It's not the only Aston Martin Charles has held in his collection, with the King formerly holding the keys to a stunning V8 Vantage Volante.

The model was gifted to Charles by the late Emir of Bahrain back in 1986, with Charles owning the car until 1995 before selling it at auction for £111,500.

It is understood that Charles once owned an Aston Martin Virage Volante, which he used in the mid-1990s for official engagements and personal trips.