PRINCE William treated Kate to a James Bond-style weekend after being gifted a top-of-the-range Aston Martin for a weekend test drive.
The Prince of Wales, 40, took the proudly Welsh-built Aston Martin DBX707 - the world’s fastest SUV - for a spin around Norfolk.
The motor was one of thousands rolling off the production line at the four-year old factory in South Wales - creating almost 1,000 jobs.
The £189,000 luxury SUV is the first Welsh-built production car in more than 50 years.
James Bond has driven four different Aston-Martins in the movie franchise but the 193mph DBX707 has yet to feature.
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Wills, 40, was compared to secret agent Bond when he wore a green velvet tuxedo and black bottleneck to his £50million Earthshot prize last year.
And it comes after William drove Kate in a vintage Aston Martin at their 2011 wedding which was decorated with red, white and blue balloons with the couple’s initials, as they left Buckingham Palace.
An insider said: “The delivery of the car was an operation worthy of the secret service in itself. It was very hush-hush.
“But he was spotted behind the wheel buzzing round the tight and winding country lanes of North Norfolk.
“It is not a coincidence the car was one that was built in Wales by Welsh workers.
“William had the Aston for the whole weekend. He got to experience life like James Bond for a few days.
“The only difference is, unlike 007, William had to hand the car back at the end of the weekend.”
Wills is not planning an investiture like his father and he and Kate are currently learning Welsh.
He came under fire from Welsh actor Michael Sheen for bidding England good luck for the World Cup
The actor said Wills should be supporting Wales as he is Prince of Wales.
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The DBX707 is made at Aston Martin’s factory in St Athan, south Wales, which they opened in 2019.
The 90-acre factory - which has created hundreds of new jobs - was opened by the King when he was Prince Charles in February 2020.
Charles was given an Aston Martin DB6 Volante for his 21st birthday and converted it to run on wine and cheese.
Car fan William posed with an Aston Martin 77 police car when he visited Dubai in February.
Last year, William was given a test-drive in a Extreme E electric car at Knockhill Racing Circuit, Scotland, to highlight global climate change issues ahead of COP26 in Glasgow.
Bond producer Barbara Broccoli has joked that Prince William was the “perfect candidate” to take over the role from Daniel Craig.
After Wills handed Barbara her CBE in July, she was asked who was likely to be the next Bond, and said: “Unfortunately, the person we just met isn’t available. He’s occupied, unfortunately, but he would be the perfect candidate.
The film producer added: “He ticks all the boxes. But he’s not available, sadly. So we’re still on the hunt.”
Franchise producers Barbara and brother Michael Wilson, are still on the lookout for a new Bond.
Kate and Wills moved their family to four-bed Adelaide Cottage in September so George, 9, Charlotte, 7, and four-year-old Louis.
But they often spend weekends and school holidays at Anmer Hall on the Sandringham estate.
A spokesman for Kensington Palace did not want to comment.
A spokesman for Aston Martin did not want to comment.
