Australian seaweed company named finalist in Prince William’s prestigious Earthshot Prize

An Australian company has been named as a finalist in Prince William’s prestigious Earthshot Prize, as the royal was spotted running with unsuspecting New Yorkers.

An Australian seaweed company has been named as a finalist in Prince William’s prestigious Earthshot Prize, which searches for “extraordinary solutions” to the world’s greatest environmental challenges.

Tasmanian-based company Sea Forest, which grows seaweed to stop cows and sheep burping, which has been recognised for its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, was shortlisted at the prestigious global environmental awards.

The company, who is the only Australian contender in this year’s award, was one of the first start-ups in the world to commercialise the native Australian red seaweed asparagopsis as a feed supplement.

At the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit on Wednesday, Prince William will be joined by Caroline Kennedy, the U.S. Ambassador to Australia and speakers and special guests, including former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and José Andrés, Chef and Founder of World Central Kitchen.

Co-founder of Sea Forest Sam Elsom.

Research lab at Sea Forest in Tasmania. Picture: Supplied

The Earthshot Prize was set-up in 2020 by Prince William and world renowned wildlife filmmaker and environmentalist Sir David Attenborough, to fund projects that aim to repair the planet within the next decade.

The winners will be announced in Singapore in November and will receive around $1.9 million to help scale up their environmental solutions.

It comes as Prince William discarded the pomp and ceremony of an official Royal visit to the United States to go on an incognito run through the green heart of Manhattan at 7am.

“I decided to join the hordes of New Yorkers doing their morning routine as they went around Central Park,” the Prince of Wales said during a fireside chat at the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit.

“It was wonderful waking up in New York on a sunny morning after the rain we had yesterday. It was beautiful getting some fresh air this morning.”

Prince William went for a secret run through Central Park, blending in with the ‘hoards’ of unsuspecting New Yorkers. Picture: Getty Images

Prince William arrived to a rainy New York a day earlier while Princess Catherine remained in the UK to watch the couple’s children.

The secret, early morning visit to Central Park, his first time in New York since 2014, stands in stark contrast to the “near-catastrophic” car chase Prince Harry and Meghan Markle said they were on during their last visit to the city.

Prince William has no plans to visit his estranged brother while in the US for the Earthshot Prize.

Prince William met the President of Ecuador but has no plans to meet Prince Harry while in the United States. Picture: Getty Images

REASON KATE DIDN’T JOIN WILLIAM IN NEW YORK

Prince William has begun his environmental mission to New York by wading around the waters off Governor’s Island.

The Prince of Wales arrived on a commercial flight at Newark Airport in New Jersey just outside of the city to begin a two day charm offensive without wife Catherine, Princess of Wales.

She has stayed in the UK to look after the couple’s three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The family has the help of longtime nanny, but Prince William and Princess Catherine try to make sure at least one of them is home most evenings for their return.

William, Prince of Wales walks in the water as he visits Billion Oyster Project in New York City on September 18, 2023 in New York City. Picture: Getty

The couple have previously said they want their children to have a normal childhood as possible as they prepare them for their future royal roles.

Prince William said it was good to be back in the US.

“No one does optimism and ingenuity like the American people, so it’s only right we unveil this year’s Earthshot finalists in New York City,” he said in a statement released by

Kensington Palace.

Prince William speaks to students from the Urban Assembly New York Harbor School about the Billion Oyster Project on Governor's Island. Picture: Getty

“80 years ago, the world came together in this great city to find a new way, through the UN, to solve our shared challenges. I know our generation can take the bold action we need to make changes towards a healthy and sustainable world. The challenge may feel huge, but as John F Kennedy taught us, we rise to the challenge not because it is easy, but because it is hard. And vital,” Prince William, 41, said.

Prince William is in the US to promote the Earthshot Prize. Picture: AFP

The first stop was a visit to Governors Island to learn about the Billion Oysters Project, which is listed as “an initiative which aims to restore oyster reefs to New York Harbor with the help of students, volunteers and restaurateurs”.

He also saw an oyster hatchery and a pile of oyster shells that have been donated by Manhattan restaurants that are used to help restore the oyster reefs.

Originally published as Australian seaweed company named finalist in Prince William’s prestigious Earthshot Prize