In 2006, some 50 years after it closed its depot in India, Rolls-Royce decided to return to the subcontinent and re-establish relations with the nation that had given it huge support in its initial years and provided it with the platform on which its eventual success is largely based.
To mark this momentous occasion, Rolls-Royce commissioned Jeremy Hart, a well-known British journalist, to organize a drive for select foreign journalists. They also brought the sixth generation Phantom, which was the first all new Rolls-Royce in over 40 years, and took it to Rajasthan and made it meet up with some of its older relatives that still reside in the collection of Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar and Gaj Singh of Jodhpur.
When the contingent of international journalists came to Udaipur with the Phantom, they caused quite a sensation as most locals had not seen a modern-day Rolls-Royce before. The foreign journalists were too left stunned because they had not seen old, princely state-owned Rolls-Royces like RR GLK 21 before. The old and new met, with Shriji taking turns to drive both. There was much excitement, many cameras and it was RR GLK 21 that was the cynosure of all eyes. The first new modern-day Rolls-Royce to officially come to India was rubbing shoulders with its ancient ancestor and in this moment of modern automotive history in India, it was RR GLK 21 that proved to be the real star.
In recent times, RR GLK 21 has also been at the centre of ceremonies held at Manek Chowk. Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar in full formal dress came to Manek Chowk in RR GLK 21 in 2007 to attend the Holika Dahan ceremony, which symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Shriji has also used RR GLK 21 to attend a couple of Ashwa Pujan ceremonies and on one of the occasions he was accompanied by his granddaughters. The Ashwa Pujan ceremony is held every year in the City Palace to honour and worship the horses.
RR GLK 21 has also been used by Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar and his family on the occasion of Shree Mahalaxmi Puja. Dressed in full formal attire on this auspicious day, he and his family visit the various temples in Udaipur to pay their respects. The people of Udaipur throng to the family on such occasions and now even they know that RR GLK 21 is the preferred choice of Shriji to attend most ceremonies.
In 2010, the King and Queen of Nepal were guests of Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar and RR GLK 21 was the car selected to show and take them around. A royal car living a royal life.
The Zenana Mahal, in the City Palace, is where RR GLK 21 lay forgotten and forlorn for over 60 years. Now, it gets the red carpet treatment whenever it goes there. Yes, RR GLK 21 is one of those very rare cars that actually walks, sorry, drives down the red carpet.