A Royal Engagement with a Twist of Childhood Memories
Prince William’s latest royal visit to Wales wasn’t just about environmental sustainability; it also brought back memories of a childhood accident that left him with a notable scar. On June 11, the Prince of Wales, 41, explored the innovative uses of seaweed, connecting with local businesses and showcasing the potential of sea-grown plants. Here’s a detailed look at Prince William’s engagement in Wales, his surprising revelation about his scar, and the groundbreaking work in seaweed innovation.

The Journey to Wales: A Day Focused on Sustainability
Prince William’s day began with a scenic train journey to Cardiff, documented with a photo he shared on social media. The snapshot, showing the Prince gazing out of the window with a monogrammed binder and phone on the table, highlighted his hands-on approach to his royal duties. Once in Wales, he met with various businesses that utilize seaweed to create sustainable products, including fast-food packaging, showcasing the incredible versatility of this natural resource.

Seaweed Innovations: A Step Toward a Sustainable Future
The primary focus of Prince William’s visit was to celebrate the advancements in the Welsh seaweed industry and learn more about its potential. His engagement included a meeting with Pierre Paslier, co-founder and co-CEO of Notpla, a company specializing in sustainable packaging made from seaweed. During this interaction, Prince William reminisced about a childhood incident involving a golf club, which left him with what he fondly calls his “Harry Potter” scar.

Paslier recounted the moment: “He was looking at the prototype, and I asked him if he likes golfing. He pointed to his head and said, ‘No golf for me.’ No golfing for him!” This humorous exchange not only provided a glimpse into the Prince’s personal history but also highlighted his genuine interest in the innovative uses of seaweed.

The “Harry Potter” Scar: A Royal Anecdote
Prince William’s scar, located on his forehead, has been a topic of curiosity for many years. He previously described it as his “Harry Potter scar” during an interview with BBC’s Newsround, explaining that it sometimes glows and is noticeable only at certain times. The injury occurred when he was struck by a golf club while playing with a friend, leaving a lasting mark that he humorously compares to the famous wizard’s lightning bolt scar.

Earthshot Prize and Seaweed: Driving Environmental Change
The Cardiff Metropolitan University visit was organized by Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, in collaboration with Wales’ Future Generations Commissioner. The goal was to celebrate and promote seaweed innovations that could significantly impact environmental sustainability. Notpla, a 2022 Earthshot Prize winner, showcased their latest products, including a golf tee and an ice cream spoon made from seaweed.

Prince William has shown a keen interest in seaweed’s potential, with Notpla having secured deals to provide packaging at major venues across the UK, including Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. This follows their successful showcase at a Coldplay concert in Cardiff, a venue often frequented by the Prince and Princess of Wales for international rugby matches.

Paslier praised Prince William’s dedication to the cause: “He really knows his stuff. He really knows seaweed. He wants to be the accelerator of the industry here in Wales and elsewhere.”

Supporting Local Businesses and Coastal Communities
In addition to his visit to Notpla, Prince William also explored the ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre, which supports food businesses with technical, operational, and commercial assistance. One notable collaboration is with Câr-Y-Môr, a company providing kelp and seaweed to High Tide, which produces a baked seaweed snack bar in Swansea.

Prince William’s interest in local seaweed farming was further demonstrated during a previous visit with Kate Middleton to a seaweed farm off the coast of West Wales. Owen Haines from Câr-Y-Môr shared his experience of taking the royal couple out on their boat, noting that Kate was more enthusiastic about tasting the seaweed than William. “He pulled a funny face. Kate liked it,” Haines said, reflecting on their genuine interest in the farm’s work.

The Broader Mission: Environmental Sustainability
The Earthshot Prize aims to find and promote solutions to the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges. Prince William’s visit underscored the importance of innovative approaches like seaweed farming, which can restore marine habitats, absorb pollutants, and offer sustainable alternatives to traditional products.

Francois Beyers, co-founder of Câr-Y-Môr, emphasized the significance of Prince William’s support: “It’s incredibly important that somebody of that stature like the Prince is able to step up and say, ‘We have got a crisis, we need to do something.’ And he’s established Earthshot that gives the opportunity for out-of-the-box thinking.”

A Royal Busy Schedule
Prince William’s visit to Wales was part of a busy weekend for the royal family, which included commemorating D-Day and preparing for King Charles’ official birthday celebration at Trooping the Colour in London on June 15. The Prince of Wales’ engagement in Wales highlighted his ongoing commitment to environmental issues and his proactive role in promoting sustainable solutions.

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Source: https://people.com/prince-william-celebrates-seaweed-food-innovation-wales-8660821