The Rolls is not so much king of the road as lord of all it surveys. It wafts over the UAE’s speed bumps as if they’re mere millimeter-tall imperfections in the road.

It’s almost impossible to be stressed inside the Cullinan, indeed, whether behind the wheel or in the cossetting rear armchairs – our test car comes in the “theatre” configuration of two enormous, enveloping back seats. Electrically operated curtains on all three glazed sides of the rear aid in keeping away prying eyes. There’s an faintly absurd amount of unfolding addenda in the rear-seat console between the back seats – at least two examples of which allow access to refrigerated cubbyholes complete with champagne flutes and decanters.