The Prince of Wales has made his first comments on the birth of his new granddaughter, Lilibet “Lili” Diana. Visiting the BMW MINI factory in Oxford, the Prince spoke publicly about his fifth grandchild for the first time. The Prince’s visit to the car plant was to celebrate UK manufacturing and innovation in the production of electric vehicles. BMW Group, the producer of the Mini Car has committed to reducing CO2 from its production line by 80% in 2030, and by 40% for its cars.
Embed from Getty Images“The development of technology like electric vehicles is vital for maintaining the health of our world for future generations, something I am only too aware of today, having recently become a grandfather for the fifth time,” said the Prince.
“Such happy news really does remind one of the necessity of continued innovation in this area — especially around sustainable battery technology — in view of the legacy we bequeath to our grandchildren.”
While this is the first comment made by the future king in public, Charles and his wife, Camilla, shared their congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the Clarence House social media account. Sharing a photo of the couple and their other child Archie, the post said:
“Congratulations to Harry, Meghan and Archie on the arrival of baby Lilibet Diana,” they wrote. “Wishing them all well at this special time.”
Lilibet was named in honour of Charles’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The name has been The Queen’s nickname among family since her childhood. The name was coined when she was a toddler and couldn’t say her own name properly. Her grandfather, King George V would affectionally call her by the name, imitating her attempts to say it. The Queen also signed her name as Lilibet on the funeral wreath placed on the Duke of Edinburgh’s casket. As for the baby’s middle name, that is in honour of the Duke’s late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
