Unusual memories, in the head and in the suitcase. It is in their company that William returns to the United Kingdom, from South Africa where he participated in the 4th edition of the Earthshot Prize. This prestigious event, founded by the Prince of Wales himself, recognized five new finalists for their innovative solutions to global climate and environmental challenges.
While the ceremony was of particular importance to him – ecology being one of his priorities – it was quite natural that the eldest son of Charles III had a thought for his loved ones. William crossed the ocean to reach Cape Town and it is in connection with this that he carefully selected ecological… and unusual gifts.
For Kate, who remained in the United Kingdom while convalescing, a pair of earrings made from seaweed, by the brand The SeaTree Emporium. For Charlotte, Louis and George, a colorful book, in the language of Molière: How algae can save the world. A documentary work imbued with a message of hope, which its author, Vincent Doumeizel, would like to transmit to the prince’s children.
This is what the writer confides to Point of view. He also hit the road again on November 8, heading to Namibia, but has fond memories of his exchange with Prince William. The day before, this fervent defender of the oceans spoke for many minutes with him, around his book, algae and their common desire to change the world.
The Prince of Wales’ interest in these marine plants, still little known and little appreciated, is not new. On several occasions, William went to meet companies offering iodine solutions and each year algae is one of the projects selected by the Earthshot awards. After reading Vincent Doumeizel’s work, will Charlotte, Louis and George be fascinated by the powers of algae? In any case, that’s what the author hopes.
In what context were you participating in the 2024 edition of the Earthshot Awards in Cape Town?
Vincent Doumeizel : I am an advisor to the UN for oceans and I set up the first global coalition of algae stakeholders which brings together 2,000 stakeholders around the world. In Cape Town, we were having our preparatory meeting for the UN Ocean Conference which will be held in Nice in June 2025, with our African members. We carry out workshops in partnership with Earthshot, since Prince William has a great interest in algae.
Did you know that a member of the British royal family shared this interest in algae with you?
Yes, I knew that well. He had already read my first book, The algae revolution. It had been sent to him. Yesterday he told me he really liked it. He also passed it on to his sister, Princess Anne. I met her at the beginning of the year and she also spoke highly of her. Obviously, the book circulates between Kensington, Buckingham Palace and others!
What did he tell you when he decided to give your book to his children upon his return from South Africa?
He explained to me that his children were learning French, that he was keen on it, and that this book could be useful to him, on the one hand, to make them aware of the subject of algae and on the other, to teach them the language. How algae can save the world is a children’s version adapted from The algae revolution, which notably won the Environment Book Prize.
Beyond new vocabulary words in French, what would you like Charlotte, Louis and George to take away from them? What is the main message of the book?
Hope. Algae is a huge solution to the environmental and climate crisis. They can feed the world, replace plastics, repair the oceans, sequester carbon… They are undoubtedly the largest unexplored resource in the world to date! This is what I hope to convey as a message to the prince’s children: there are still many things to do and, like their father and grandfather before them, they can support this type of extremely innovative initiative. The Prince of Wales is very knowledgeable on the subject and I hope this book can help Charlotte, Louis and George know how seaweed is a great source of hope for generations to come.
Do you think that the interest of public figures like Prince William in algae can help raise awareness of its potential among the general public?
It is absolutely necessary. Algae suffers from an absolute lack of visibility even though today they are already a proven solution. There are 40 million tonnes of seaweed grown in Asia which helps feed over a billion people. For us, the subject is completely new. We still think that it is not good, but as is the case with other foods: they must be cooked! Carrying this kind of message will allow this subject to emerge and resolve the major problems of this world.
Do you think seaweed will soon be on the menu of the princely family?
I’m sure of it and I even think that there already is. In the children’s book I tell a story, about the sheep on the island of North Ronaldsay, north of Orkney, Scotland. These are the sheep that are served to King Charles. They feed only on algae and their flesh is considered to be the best in the world. More directly, more and more great chefs are working on the subject. It is a new gastronomic horizon, with extremely diverse tastes and flavors, even richer than those we have on Earth. You have to get used to them, learn to cook them, to appreciate them. But I’m sure that at Buckingham, Kensington Palace and elsewhere, seaweed is already served. Given the prince’s interest, the opposite would surprise me a lot!
How algae can save the worldwritten by Vincent Doumeizel and illustrated by Lilately, La Cabane bleue, 32 p., 18 euros.
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