One hundred Rolls Royce cars, including the latest models to stunning classic cars, all took to the streets of London this week to celebrate the centenary of the Spirit of Ecstasy.

The iconic symbol has graced the front of Rolls Royce vehicles for 100 years and has become a symbol recognisable throughout the world.

The statuette was designed by Charles Skyes by the request of early car magazine publisher, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu. It’s believed the flying lady was based on Eleanor Thornton, Lord Montagu’s secret lover, who commissioned the statue which was then positioned on his 1909 Silver Ghost. The couple met when Thornton came to work on Montagu’s magazine.

Up until the 20’s, the flying lady was an optional extra on new Rolls Royce vehicles, after which it became a standard part of the iconic design which is now synonymous with the luxury car manufacturer.

However the real flying lady came to a tragic end after a ship she was travelling on was torpedoed close to Crete in 1915. Lord Montagu survived, but in the initial aftermath of the incident, it was thought he had perished too, and his obituary was published in London newspapers.

To celebrate 100 years of this legendary symbol, a motorcade of 100 Rolls Royce cars travelled through central London including Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and Parliament Square this week in a fitting tribute to the flying lady and the contribution she’s made to Rolls Royce over the last century.