TikTok science content creator Emanuel “Big Manny” Wallace, who commands an audience of two million followers, gave his audience a royal treat when he got the Prince of Wales to be his lab assistant in a video. 

Filmed during Prince William’s visit to 2024 Earthshot Prize finalist NatureMetrics in Surrey, England, the video features the British royal and Wallace conducting a DNA extraction experiment using strawberries. 

Wallace, who holds a Master’s degree in biomedical sciences, regularly creates science content aimed at young audiences.

“I’m Manny’s beautiful assistant, by the way,” Prince William says in the video as the pair demonstrate the DNA extraction process. The collaboration differs from traditional royal social media engagement, which typically focuses on official engagements and charity work through the Prince and Princess of Wales’s own channels.

Environmental DNA Innovation

In a post caption, Wallace explained that the visit showcased NatureMetrics’ work in extracting environmental DNA from soil, rivers, and air to advance environmental protection efforts. The company is known for developing technology that enables businesses to measure and report their environmental impact on nature and ecosystems. 

The collaboration generated an immediate response on Wallace’s TikTok platform, with followers expressing surprise at seeing the future monarch participating in a social media science experiment. Comments highlighted the unprecedented nature of the partnership, with one follower noting, “No one can top this collab in the UK.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales have previously utilized social media for official communications, but this marks Prince William’s first appearance as a participant in a TikTok creator’s educational content.

UK Going Digital

According to recent Ofcom (UK communications regulator) data, 52% of Brits access news through platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, up from 47% the year before.

The UK government is reportedly responding with a digital unit focused on social media influencer partnerships as part of a broader strategy to modernize its communications approach. The New Media Unit, set to be operational by spring 2025, aims to reach audiences who don’t regularly consume traditional news media.