Prince William has spoken fondly of the early years of his marriage to the Princess of Wales, revealing how the island of Anglesey provided them with a profound sense of "warmth and belonging". The Prince of Wales made the heartfelt remarks while addressing a major investment conference in Newport, where he positioned Wales as a dynamic hub for future technology and business.
A Royal Home in Anglesey
The future King told an audience of 300 delegates from 25 countries that Wales was the first place he and Catherine made a home together. The couple lived on Anglesey from 2010 to 2013 while William served as a search and rescue helicopter pilot at RAF Valley. He described the experience as joining a "family of three million people", a sentiment that clearly left a lasting impression on the royal couple during their formative years as newlyweds.
Speaking at the one-day Wales Investment Summit at the International Convention Centre in Newport, William said he was "honoured" to champion the nation. He connected his current role to the legacy of his father, King Charles III, noting that over half a century ago, the then-Prince of Wales personally encouraged Sony's co-founder to open its first European factory in Wales.
Championing Welsh Innovation and Investment
The Prince used his platform to vigorously promote Wales's economic potential. He told global business leaders that the nation had reached a "significant moment" for investment, defined by "extraordinary possibility". William highlighted Wales's collaborative spirit, where industry, academia, and government work as a "single, connected community".
He identified Wales as an ideal location for cutting-edge technology, research, innovation, and a skilled workforce, suggesting the country could become a "test bed" for new ideas. The summit itself is considered the most significant event hosted by Wales since the 2014 NATO summit, featuring 250 companies, with 150 being new investors to the region.
Before his speech, William visited the Newport site of KLA, an international semiconductor company. At the conference, he toured stands showcasing innovative Welsh businesses. These included an inspection of a fully electric version of the classic Morris van, set for production in St Athan, Wales next year, creating around 150 jobs. He also activated an eco underfloor heating system called Haydale with his handprint.
Personal Encounters and a Poignant Connection
One of the most poignant moments came during William's conversation with Mark Williams, founder of Limb Art. Williams, a former Paralympic swimmer, recounted losing his leg as a child on 21 June 1982. He told the Prince that on that very evening, a surgeon informed his parents that while they couldn't save Mark's leg, there was some good news: Prince Charles and Princess Diana had just had a baby boy – William.
Williams explained how his business, creating decorative prosthetic covers, began almost by accident from a social media post and now helps children as young as four feel more confident. The Prince also met with Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan and businessman Sir Terry Matthews during the event.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves was in the audience for William's speech but departed afterwards and did not meet with the Prince. The summit marked Prince William's second visit to Wales in as many weeks, following a trip to North Wales focused on marine conservation and youth mental health projects.
