Prince William was all ears during his visit to leading semiconductor company KLA in Wales, where he stopped to hear a moving story from local innovator Mark Williams.
Mark, a former Team GB Paralympic swimmer, has explained how a childhood accident left him without his left leg.
The incident coincidentally happened on the same day Prince William was born, June 21, 1982.
“Prince William said, ‘It’s my birthday,’ and I said, ‘I know,'” Mark recalls.
After being rushed to Glan Clwyd Hospital, his parents received bittersweet news that the royal family had welcomed a baby boy, William, after doctors were unable to save Mark’s leg.
Turning adversity into innovation, he now designs casts for children who have lost limbs, creating designs that help wearers feel confident in public.
Among the exhibits was a cast featuring King Charles, created to mark his coronation in 2023.
Looking at the intricate design, the prince joked that they “looked like any other crazy socks”, cheekily highlighting the inspiring work of Welsh entrepreneurs.
William was in action during his visit, moving between stands, inspecting displays and sharing moments of levity with employees, all while promoting Wales as a hub for innovation and green business.
