Prince Charles Debuts 'Image Of The Beast' Hologram Tech*

Prince Charles beamed all the way to Dubai

By Sophie Borland
Last Updated: 1:58am GMT 23/01/2008

The Prince of Wales was beamed in Star Trek-style for his first
appearance as a hologram when he delivered a powerful speech on the
environment to the world's leaders before vanishing into thin air.

A life-size, three-dimensional image of the Prince was projected onto
the stage of the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, in the United
Arab Emirates.

Prince Charles was beamed for his first appearance as a hologram
Telegraph TV: The holographic appearance saved 20 tons of carbon waste

The Prince was reluctant to attend the summit in person because the
flights for him and his entourage would have generated an estimated 20
tons of carbon waste.

In comparison the hologram is thought to have left a carbon footprint
equivalent to a lightbulb.

The hologram drew much surprise from the 2,500 delegates, most of whom
had flown thousands of miles to discuss how to save carbon emissions.

His six-minute speech was pre-recorded in the drawing room of Clarence
House last November and it was transferred into a 3D image.

Despite the humour when his hologram first appeared on stage, the Prince
used his address to call for a sense of urgency against global warming.

He said: "Scientists are now saying that the problem of climate change
is now so grave and so urgent that we have less than 10 years to slow,
stop and reverse greenhouse gas emissions.

"Common actions are needed in every country to protect the common
inheritance that has been given to us by our creator,"

Sean Reel, Commercial Director for Connecta Group, which produced the
image, said: "He was keen on using the hologram to show his commitment
to reducing the carbon footprint. He is walking back and forth and
gesturing with his hands. It looks as though he is right there."

Earlier this year the former US president Al Gore used a hologram to
project himself at the beginning of the Live Earth concerts in Tokyo.

As a result of the technology, the Prince could be seen in more than one
place yesterday - both in Abu Dhabi and visiting a former colliery in
Ayrshire.