Prince William hit the ground running at the start of a busy week for the British royal family.
The Prince of Wales spent Monday, Dec. 1, visiting a key technology company and celebrating the contributions innovative companies and industries make to the nation.
His visit begins a busy week for him and the royal family. Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, both 43, will help host the German president and his wife for their state visit on Dec. 3. Then, on Friday, Dec. 5, Princess Kate is hosting her fifth annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey. In past years, William and the couple’s three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — have attended, along with many other members of the royal family, to support Kate.
At the Wales Investment Summit in Newport, South Wales, William made the keynote speech as he also highlighted how companies promote growth alongside decarbonization, environmentally-conscious jobs and the green technology sector.
With Britain’s internationally-significant technology manufacturing sector a key element of the day, the Prince of Wales’ role as a global statesman was underlined as he met business leaders from around the world.
Prince William started his morning on Monday at the recently opened facility of international semiconductor company KLA, which is based in California. He was at the research and development and manufacturing division of KLA, in Newport, South Wales – an important British city for the semiconductor industry.
William was shown around the site, taking in the manufacturing facility and the intricate and technical infrastructure that’s crucial to the research on site. He also met those who are a part of KLA’s local supply chain, underlining the significance of the company in the local area. William also chatted with apprentices and graduates, who are among the 750 people at the company, about their training and experience of working at KLA.
Later, at the Wales Investment Summit, Prince William celebrated the wider Welsh industry and innovation. The summit showcased Wales as a hub of U.K. excellence, highlighting priority sectors, places and clusters alongside an ongoing commitment to promoting growth, green jobs and decarbonization.
Prince William addressed more than 300 delegates representing companies that work in clean energy, technology, life sciences, financial services, manufacturing and the creative industries from nearly 30 countries — and even delivered a few words in Welsh.
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“Prynhawn da,” he began, with the Welsh greeting for good afternoon, “and thank you for joining us today for the Wales Investment Summit.”
“Wales was the first place Catherine and I made our home together, on the island of Anglesey,” Prince William told the group. “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.”
“I am pleased to be continuing the work of my father, the King, who over half a century ago, personally encouraged the co-founder of Sony to open its first European factory here in Wales,” the royal heir continued. “That decision wasn’t simply an investment. It was an act of faith in the ingenuity and spirit of this nation. The legacy of that decision is still felt today, having brought thousands of jobs and opportunities to local people over the past fifty years. His leadership in championing Welsh business and innovation is something which I am proud to have the opportunity to continue today.”
Before his speech, William was introduced to a number of Welsh business leaders and representatives from Wales’ green technology sector and was taken on a short tour of the summit’s stalls and presentations.
Wales’ place in the globally-connected business world is underscored by the fact that there are currently an estimated 1,480 overseas-owned companies operating in Wales, employing more than 174,000 workers.
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