Top managers from the company joined the Duke as he toured the new building, which cost £15m and has been designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

Academics from the University have already worked with Boeing to develop an Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre on the site at Catcliffe, near Rotherham.

Prof Keith Ridgeway said the project's aim was to work with real manufacturers to allow new theory and practice to be tested before being introduced into the production process.

He added: "The carbon-neutral building with its distinctive wind turbines stands on the former Orgreave Colliery site, once famous as the scene of confrontation between miners and police.

"Today it is truly regenerated as an international exemplar of sustainable manufacturing and progressive research-led industry which seeks greener, more efficient ways of working."

The Duke also visited Maltby, near Rotherham, earlier in the day to officially open the purpose-built £6m Maltby Crags Infant School and Maltby Crags Junior school.

Pupils and teachers showed the royal visitor around their new buildings in Strauss Crescent, and explained how a new school garden was growing vegetables to be used in the kitchens.