The Prince of Wales has taken a significant personal step in the fight against microplastic pollution by having specialised filtration systems fitted to washing machines at his family residences. This move follows a revealing visit to a pioneering Bristol-based company that developed the technology.
Royal Endorsement for Environmental Innovation
During a visit to Bristol to celebrate British innovation and sustainability, Prince William toured the premises of Matter, a company that was a finalist in his prestigious 2025 Earthshot Prize. The firm has created a device specifically designed to capture microplastics released during laundry cycles, preventing these harmful particles from entering waterways.
Horrifying Reality of Microplastic Pollution
During the visit, William was shown tangible evidence of the scale of the problem. Company staff presented him with a dense ball of red microfibres captured from just ten washes of red towels, alongside plastic containers filled with fibres collected from industrial textile manufacturing equipment.
The prince's reaction was one of genuine shock and concern. "I'm genuinely horrified," William stated. "I can't get over the size. It is absolutely atrocious. Companies must have known how much stuff they are washing away."
He was further presented with a bottle containing microfibres captured from ten domestic washing machine cycles, to which he responded: "I'm very glad we had our filters on our washing machines."
From Dining Table to Royal Residences
The technology that has now found its way into royal homes has humble beginnings. Matter founder and chief executive Adam Root developed the initial filtration system at his mother-in-law's dining table with a modest £250 grant from The King's Trust.
Mr Root, who hails from Essex, informed the prince that his climate technology company now employs approximately fifty people and is focused entirely on tackling the growing global crisis of microplastic pollution.
Royal Adoption and Future Ambitions
It is understood that the microfibre filtration devices have been installed at Forest Lodge, the Grade II listed eight-bedroom property in Windsor Great Park that has become the Wales family's new home after their move from Adelaide Cottage last autumn.
The technology is also already in use at William and Catherine's other properties, including their ten-bedroom Norfolk mansion Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate and Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace in London.
Sources indicate that William is particularly keen for his father, King Charles III, to adopt the technology at Buckingham Palace and other major royal residences, potentially creating a ripple effect of environmental responsibility throughout the monarchy's properties.
Scaling Up for Greater Impact
During his visit, William engaged actively with Matter staff about their plans for business expansion and collaboration with brand partners. He offered enthusiastic encouragement, telling the team: "You should be really proud. You must be excited where it is headed. This is really going places, it is incredible, well done."
Broader Innovation Tour
Following his time at Matter, the Prince of Wales continued his Bristol visit by touring the UK's most powerful supercomputer, named Isambard-AI. This facility is operated by the University of Bristol in partnership with NCC, a world-leading innovation organisation.
Professor Evelyn Welch, vice-chancellor and president of the University of Bristol, commented after the visit: "We were delighted to share with Prince William how this work is already making a real difference to people's lives, and how our teams are striving every day to create positive change for communities here in the UK and around the world."
She described it as a "pleasure" to showcase the university's groundbreaking work to the royal visitor.
The prince's Bristol engagements highlight his ongoing commitment to environmental causes through both personal action and public advocacy, bridging the gap between technological innovation and practical implementation in the fight against plastic pollution.
