On Monday this week (February 24th 2025) His Majesty The King was given a glimpse into the future of JCB hydrogen power as he toured  the company’s World Headquarters as part of its 80th birthday celebrations.

His Majesty The King with Lord Bamford

As the manufacturer prepares to mark the historic milestone, they are developing an internal combustion engine which is powered by hydrogen, a zero-carbon fuel of the future.

His Majesty was given an insight into the company's hydrogen technology by chairman Anthony Bamford during a tour of the company’s Innovation Centre at Rocester, where he was shown one of the first JCB diggers to be powered by hydrogen - and how the machine can be refuelled simply and efficiently in a matter of minutes.
 
The visit also helped to mark another milestone for JCB - the production of the one millionth JCB backhoe loader digger.

Lord Bamford said, “It is a real honour for us all that that The King has visited JCB to help us celebrate 80 years in business. It was also a great pleasure to show The King the progress we are making with hydrogen powered machines. Today was an occasion that will live long in the memories of everyone who was present.”

On a tour of the production line, His Majesty met apprentices Matthew Walker-Stack, 19, of Rugeley, Freddie McCool, 19, of Lichfield, and Eleanor Pitt, of Derby, who is only the second ever female welding apprentice to join the company.

The King spoke to Richard Williams, of Stramshall, near Uttoxeter, general manager of the Backhoe Loader Business Unit, who has worked at JCB for 38 years. Also introduced to The King were Richard’s wife Sarah, who has worked for JCB for almost 35 years and his son Josh, a paint plant operative and his daughter Kaitlan, who works in production support.

The visit concluded in the main reception of JCB’s World HQ where The King was shown the one millionth JCB backhoe loader digger which recently rolled off the company’s Rocester production line.