Prince William left 'genuinely horrified' on Bristol visit: 'It's atrocious that we allow that'
The Prince of Wales' engagements were part of his passion for the environmentPrince William visited Bristol on Thursday for a series of engagements relating to his environmental work.
The Prince of Wales, 43, first visited Matter in Bristol, a 2025 Earthshot Prize finalist. William saw pioneering technology designed to stop microplastics entering our waterways and oceans.
Prince William had a tour of the company’s headquarters in Bristol, UK. He also took part in a hands-on demonstration of their innovative water filtration technology system, Regen.
Prince William admits ‘I’m genuinely horrified’ on Bristol visit
According to the Earthshot Prize website, Regen “captures microplastic fibres released from textiles during washing, preventing them from entering our waterways”.
The Prince of Wales has installed the filtration system in his own household. He purchased it at full price, and the systems are being rolled out across all royal palaces.
It’s absolutely atrocious that we allow that.
During a demonstration, Prince William seemed shocked by the amount of waste produced from the machinery.
He admitted: “I’m genuinely horrified. It’s absolutely atrocious that we allow that. Companies must have known how much stuff they are washing away.”
William’s passion for the environment
Elsewhere in Bristol, Prince William also paid a visit to the University of Bristol to see the UK’s most powerful supercomputer, Isambard-AI.
The Prince and Princess of Wales’ Instagram account said William met with scientists behind the supercomputer to learn how this “extraordinary supercomputer is being used to tackle some of the greatest challenges of our time, while placing sustainability at its core”.
The Prince of Wales is passionate about the environment and his royal work reflects this.
William launched his Earthshot Prize back in 2020. Its mission is to “mobilise a decade of environmental action to repair the planet”.
Every year, William and the Prize Council awards £1million to five winners, one from each Earthshot category – Protect and Restore Nature; Clean our Air; Revive our Oceans; Build a Waste-Free World; and Fix our Climate.
William’s ‘hope’ for his children’s future
Last November, the Prince of Wales attended the Earthshot Prize Awards in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Ahead of the awards ceremony, Prince William opened up about his hope over his children’s future.
William is father to Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven.
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He told HELLO!: “As a father, I think constantly about the world my children will inherit.
“I want them to grow up surrounded by nature, opportunity and a sense of hope about the future. But I also know that unless we act boldly now, that future is at risk.”
He added: “The Earthshot Prize is about turning the tide, about proving to our children that we are willing to fight for their tomorrow.”
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