Prince William visits Cardiff to celebrate 'seaweed innovation'
The Prince of Wales visited Cardiff today to sample and celebrate one of the country's iconic products - seaweed.
Harvesting the plant is a Welsh tradition which dates back hundreds of years but the environmental benefits of farming the marine weed means there's a push for the industry to expand.
Entrepreneurs gathered at Cardiff Metropolitan University to discuss investment in the sector and display products based on what Derek Walker, future generations commissioner for Wales, dubbed "the superpower of seaweed".
Prince William spoke to Pierre Paslier, the co-founder of Notpla, which supplies seaweed packaging to major sporting and music venues across the country.
His Royal Highness picked up a seaweed-produced golf tee, made to biodegrade and fertilise greens.
When asked if he played golf, Mr Paslier said the royal replied: "No, the last time I played golf” and pointed to his head.
It was during his five years at Ludgrove school that William suffered a golfing accident which left him with his “Harry Potter” scar when a young boy.
Earlier on Tuesday, Kensington Palace had posted a picture of Prince William on social media along with a bilingual message, saying: "En route to Cardiff today to celebrate seaweed innovation".
The post added: "Seaweed is one of the most abundant resources on the planet, and it is a potential solution to some of the biggest environmental problems felt across the world."
Notpla is a former category winner in William’s Earthshot environmental prize and the prince has taken a keen interest in the business.
The firm’s seaweed-based products are supplied to Levy, a leading sports and entertainment caterer, and used in more than 50 venues from the Oval to Wimbledon’s All England Lawn Tennis Club and London’s O2 Arena.
Prince William launched the Earthshot environmental prize in 2021. Since then, the scheme has handed out £15million of prize money and sourced £50million of further support for 45 winners and finalists.
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