The Duke of Edinburgh had a hands-on day of discovery and innovation on Thursday despite royal pressure.
In Farnham, Surrey, the Duke visited the University of the Creative Arts, where he admired intricate metalwork and even tried his hand at glassblowing, delighting students and staff with his curiosity and enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, at King’s Cross, he turned his attention to the world of physics.
The centerpiece of the Institute of Physics’ Physics Powering the Green Economy reception was Tokamak Energy’s ST25-HTS spherical tokamak, the first of its kind to use a full set of superconducting high-temperature magnets.
HRH praised the “imagination and creativity” behind the project and discussed fusion energy and superconducting technology with business leaders.
The tokamak, which once maintained a 24-hour plasma pulse, is now proudly on display at the IOP.
On Wednesday he joined executives, ministers and the Japanese ambassador to officially open the £400 million new facilities at Fujifilm Biotechnologies’ Belasis Avenue campus in Billingham.
