The Prince of Wales has declared Wales a nation of "extraordinary possibility" for global investors, as he opened a major summit aimed at attracting international business to the country.
A Personal Connection to Wales
Addressing over 300 delegates from 25 nations at the Wales Investment Summit in Newport, Prince William spoke warmly of his personal ties to the nation. He revealed that Wales was the first place he and the Princess of Wales made their home together, living on Anglesey while he served as an RAF search and rescue pilot from 2010 to 2013.
"When you make a home in Wales, you join a family of three million people, and the sense of warmth and belonging is what makes Wales unlike anywhere else," he told the audience, which included Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
The Prince also paid tribute to his father, King Charles III, recalling how over half a century ago, the then-Prince of Wales personally encouraged Sony's co-founder to open its first European factory in Wales—a decision that created thousands of jobs.
Positioning Wales as a Global Tech and Green Energy Leader
Prince William told business leaders that Wales had reached a "significant moment" for investment, driven by its strengths in cutting-edge sectors. He highlighted the nation's potential as a clean-energy hub, citing:
- Floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea.
- Tidal stream energy in the Irish Sea.
- A planned Hydrogen Hub in North Wales.
- Solar power developments in Pembrokeshire.
He also emphasised the strength of the world's first compound semiconductor cluster, located in Newport, which powers advances in AI, telecommunications, and electric vehicles. "Technologies designed and built in Wales are already embedded in the smartphones in your pockets," he stated.
Earlier in the day, the Prince visited the newly opened facility of international semiconductor company KLA in Newport, where he viewed manufacturing areas and met apprentices.
Showcasing Welsh Innovation and Personal Stories
During a showcase of Welsh businesses, Prince William met entrepreneurs like Mark Williams, founder of Limb Art. Mr Williams, a former Paralympic swimmer, shared the poignant coincidence of losing his leg in an accident on the very day Prince William was born in 1982.
His company creates decorative covers for prosthetic limbs, including one featuring the King's face designed for the 2023 coronation. "I think he was a little bit like, 'I'm not quite sure how I have to deal with this one that's a picture of my dad on it!'," Mr Williams said of the Prince's reaction.
The royal also viewed an eco underfloor heating system activated by a handprint and a new, fully electric version of the classic Morris van, which is set to enter production in St Athan next year, creating around 150 jobs.
Concluding his speech, Prince William said it was his "honour to play my part in championing the dynamic nation Wales is today." The one-day summit, attended by 250 companies, is considered the most significant event hosted by Wales since the 2014 NATO summit.
