Selfies, handshakes and loud cheers marked the end of the Prince of Wales’s first day in Estonia as he spent almost 40 minutes greeting members of the public. Hundreds of well-wishers gathered outside Cleantech Association in Tallinn, waiting to catch a glimpse of the prince after he attended a workshop with a range of renewable energy startups and heard how Estonia and other Baltic states are ushering in a new era of energy security.
Just last month, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania asserted their energy independence from Russia by desynchronising from the Russian-controlled electricity grid and joining the European electricity network. This significant change has allowed the Baltic states to achieve greater energy independence and integrate and draw on more renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind.
In a Q&A session with members of the Cleantech Association, William said: “Seeing all the fantastic innovations reminds me of some of the stuff we’re trying to do in the Earthshot Prize, which is trying to tackle some of the world’s greatest environmental challenges.”
He went on to say that it’s important that countries work together, telling the guests: “For me collaboration is the key, it is going to be the way we tackle these things much faster.”
William then headed outside to greet the union flag-waving public who had gathered outside during his visit to Cleantech.
Putting a green puffa jacket by Canadian sportswear brand Lulelemon over the top of his jacket, he spent almost 40 minutes shaking hands in chilly conditions, posing for endless selfies and chatting with members of the public.
The crowd gasped when a battery pack fell off the back of someone’s phone while William held it for a selfie, and one woman was so overcome by meeting him that she lost her footing and nearly fell to the ground.
The prince was handed flowers, soft toys and even a basket of fresh fruit and vegetables from the flag-waving crowd.
Epp, who didn’t want to give her last name, was overjoed that she had been able to meet William and said: “It’s a historic day for me. I took the hand of the British prince and I will never foget it.”
The crowds whooped, cheered and clapped as he hopped in the back of a UK-number plated Range Rover.
A Palace spokesperson said: “Both the Prince and Princess have been strong supporters of the Ukrainian community since the conflict began… This visit to Estonia over the next two days is a continuation of that support and as the situation continues to evolve the prince wanted to see firsthand how Estonia have played an integral part in helping over 60,000 refugees rebuild their lives.”
