This is how you make a grand entrance.
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla Parker Bowles made a spectacular entrance to the Commonwealth Games on Thursday as he drove his Aston Martin into the arena for the opening ceremony
The vintage sports car is powered by bioethanol extracted from wine and cheese by-products.
The royal heir bought the car in 1970 and later modified it to run on biofuels, using ethanol from cheese whey and wine that was unfit for human consumption.
Charles has long been an advocate for the environment, warning in a 1970 speech, “We are currently facing the horrific effects of pollution in all its cancer-forming forms.”
Since then, the Duke of Cornwall has spoken out strongly about climate change and has spoken out against the use of genetically modified foods.
Charles’ vintage Aston Martin made a memorable appearance at his son Prince William’s wedding in 2011. Decorated with balloons and ribbons and a number plate on the back that reads “JU5T WED”, the Duke of Cambridge used it to mark his bride , Kate Middleton, chase away from the ceremony.
Charles and Camilla attended the official opening of the Commonwealth Games, which brings all Commonwealth countries together in a sports competition. The multisport competition, which takes place every four years and is often referred to as “The Friendly Games”, ends on August 8 and is held in Birmingham.
Camilla also made a stylish entrance with a minimalist jumpsuit from one of her favorite designers, Anna Valentine.
Also in attendance were Charles’ younger brother Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
During the ceremony, Charles read a special message written by his mother, the Queen.
“Over the years, the coming together of so many for the ‘Friendly Games’ has created memorable shared experiences, established long-lasting relationships and even created some friendly rivalries. But above all, they remind us of our bond with each other, wherever we are in the world, as part of the Commonwealth family of nations,” she wrote.