HRH, Anne, The Princess Royal continued a family tradition by visiting the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) manufacturing plant at Halewood in Merseyside, UK, on September 21 to mark its 60th anniversary of vehicle production.
HRH the late Queen Elizabeth II visited Jaguar plants in Browns Lane Coventry in 1956 and 1994, and in Wolverhampton in 2014.
The JLR Halewood assembly plant was originally opened by the Ford Motor Company in 1963 to produce the Ford Anglia, and then the Ford Escort, one of Britains most popular fleet cars was manufactured on site from 1967 to 2001.
Under Ford’s ownership production of JLR models began with the Jaguar X-Type in 2001and the Land Rover Freelander in 2007.
Ford sold the JLR brands to Tata Motors in 2008, but the deal allowed Tata to retain the vehicle production plant at Halewood adjacent to a transmission site operated by Ford and partner Getrag.
The Princess Royal was given insight into electrification plans and works underway at the facility as it is reimagined as an all-electric manufacturing facility.
Local charity, The Inclusive Hub, was also invited to the royal occasion after being selected by employees for a vehicle donation as part of an internal recognition scheme.
The Princess Royal presented the charity with a Discovery Sport, built at Halewood, on behalf of JLR. The donation to The Inclusive Hub was in recognition of its work in the local community to empower people of all ages and abilities through exercise and education.
“I’m delighted to be joined by Her Royal Highness, the Lord Lieutenant, honoured guests and my fellow JLR family to celebrate our Diamond Anniversary year for car manufacturing at Halewood, JLR Halewood operations directors Trevor Leeks says.
“While Halewood’s history began 60 years ago under different ownership, many of our wonderful people have long connections through that era into today’s stewardship under JLR.
“We look forward to an exciting new chapter as the plant progresses at pace to an all-electric future building the next generation of vehicles as we deliver our Reimagine strategy and our ambition to be the world’s leading modern luxury car manufacturer,” he says.
“This remarkable donation from JLR will help us provide life-changing support for more people who are differently abled and socially isolated,” The Inclusive Hub directors and coach Liam Starkey says.
“The new vehicle will help us to give more people access to our fitness sessions, school outreach sessions, mental health meetings, parent support groups and food bank hamper deliveries.
“On behalf of the Inclusive Hub, our partners, our members and our community around Liverpool, we thank every single person at JLR for this amazing gesture,” he says.
The Princess Royal also visited the Queen’s Green Canopy Orchard, a sustainable eco-system which was planted on site at Halewood to mark the Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
