It is an emblem synonymous with opulence worldwide, yet the enchanting tale behind its creation and its deep-rooted Hampshire heritage remains largely untold.

Rolls-Royce’s iconic Spirit of Ecstasy mascot offers a glimpse into a captivating love story from more than a century ago.

Sculpted by Charles Robinson Sykes at the behest of Claude Johnson, the managing director of Rolls-Royce, the Spirit of Ecstasy has graced the radiators of their automobiles since 1911. While many affluent drivers and passengers have admired this exquisite figure, few are aware of its extraordinary origins.

Sykes found his muse in Eleanor Velasco Thornton, the secret lover of his friend and automotive pioneer, John Walter Edward-Scott-Montagu, the second Lord Montagu of Beaulieu.

Eleanor’s clandestine affair with the married Lord Montagu was fiercely guarded. However, Sykes, a trusted confidant, received a special commission from Lord Montagu to create a unique mascot for his 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.

Drawing inspiration from Eleanor's beauty, Sykes crafted a delicate statue of a woman enveloped in flowing robes, her finger mysteriously pressed to her lips. Dubbed "The Whisper," this one-of-a-kind mascot remains an exclusive adornment for the Montagu family's Rolls-Royces.

The meaning behind the enigmatic gesture has been a subject of speculation, with some suggesting it alludes to the car's silent engine while others believe it's a plea for secrecy about the illicit romance.

(Image: Echo)

Tragically, Eleanor would never witness the global acclaim of Sykes' creation. In 1915, while travelling to India with Lord Montagu, she perished in the sinking of the SS Persia, torpedoed by a German U-boat. Lord Montagu, miraculously saved by a newly invented life jacket, returned to England only to read his own obituary in The Times.

The Whisper, along with other Spirit of Ecstasy figurines, finds a permanent home at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, New Forest.

Lord Montagu's pioneering decision to adorn his Rolls-Royce with a mascot sparked a trend among motorists.

Rolls-Royce observed this emerging fashion but deemed many of the chosen motifs as "questionable in taste, often mundane or even risqué and vulgar."

In response to Lord Montagu's commission, Charles Sykes was tasked with creating a universally appealing mascot for all Rolls-Royce cars. The result, unveiled in February 1911, was the Spirit of Ecstasy, an unmistakable evolution of "The Whisper."

The striking resemblance between the two was no coincidence, as both were inspired by the captivating image of Eleanor Thornton.

(Image: Echo)

In 1920, Rolls-Royce clinched first place in a Paris competition for the most exquisite mascot, showcasing a gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy.

This triumph solidified the mascot's prestige, and gold-plated versions subsequently became available at an additional cost.

However, safety regulations in certain countries posed a challenge. The Spirit of Ecstasy, with its sharp edges, was deemed a potential hazard to accident victims.

Consequently, Switzerland banned the installation of mascots on Rolls-Royce vehicles in the late 1970s.

To circumvent this restriction, new Rolls-Royce owners in Switzerland received their mascots discreetly tucked away in the glove compartment.

This issue was elegantly resolved with the introduction of the Silver Spirit and Silver Spur models. A gentle touch caused the Spirit of Ecstasy to gracefully retract into the radiator surround, ensuring both safety and style.