King visits Cambridge Uni lab on first engagement since coronation

Whittle Laboratory – which recently secured £58 million pounds for a new research facility – is helping the UK achieve net zero by 2050

The King broke ground for a new laboratory that aims to speed up the development of net zero aviation in his first official engagement since his coronation.

Charles, 74, toured Cambridge University’s Whittle Laboratory, which has recently secured funding to develop a new £58 million lab.

As he walked to perform the ceremonial breaking of the ground, where a lump of mud was already visible on the grass, he joked: “I don’t suppose it’s already been done?”

He added: “It’s very unfair. I was rather looking forward to doing a bit of gardening.”