If you believe what you saw at the Olympics opening ceremony, the Queen dashes around the country in a helicopter escorted by James Bond.
In reality, of course, she is more likely to be found in the back of a sedately-driven Rolls-Royce.
And to become Her Majesty’s new chauffeur you don’t need a licence to kill - you just need a licence to drive.
An advertisement on the Royal Family’s official website reveals a vacancy has arisen within the Lord Chamberlain’s Office for a driver based at Buckingham Palace.
Candidates must have a full clean UK driving licence, “clear communication skills” and “an ability to deploy tact and diplomacy when necessary”.
The £23 000-a-year job is based on working 48 hours a week with free accommodation available for the successful candidate wherever they travel to.
It may seem like a small salary for such a high-profile role, but the chance to stay in palaces and castles is an opportunity many job-seekers will find difficult to turn down.
The successful applicant will also need “good administration skills with the experience of using email”.
The job description reads: “You will be responsible for driving members of the Royal Family, Household officials, guests and official visitors as directed by the Head Chauffeur”.
Motivation and being “committed to maintaining high standards” are also among the key skills listed.
The ability to wield a chamois leather is also crucial because the new chauffeur will be required to “assist in the maintenance of the vehicles within the Royal garages”.
Not surprisingly, it adds that “professional driving experience would be an advantage” and “due to the nature of the position, the post holder must have a flexible approach to his working hours and weekend duties”.
The successful applicant will work five days out of seven and be principally based at the Royal Mews.
For those considering submitting their CV, the closing date for applications on the www.royal.gov.uk website is Friday August 31. - Daily Mail