The Prince of Wales has made his first appearance as a hologram in a bid to reduce the royal carbon footprint, and silence critics who accuse him of failing to live by his green principles.

His Royal Highness, who once generated nearly 15 tonnes of carbon waste when he and his entourage took a private jet 7000 miles to New York and Philadelphia to accept an environmentalist award, chose to address the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi using the 3-D technology.

He is the first member of the Royal family to make a public address in virtual form. As a result, the Prince could be seen in two places at once this morning - addressing the challenges of climate change on stage in Abu Dhabi, while also visiting the site of a former colliery in Ayrshire.

The Prince was said to be reluctant to attend the energy summit in person because flights for him and his entourage would have generated nearly 20 tons of carbon waste. Instead, the larger-than-life projection left roughly the same amount as a light bulb.

However, royal flesh and blood was not entirely absent from the event. The Duke of York - dubbed "Air Miles Andy" because of his jet-set lifestyle - attended as a UK representative for trade.

Prince Charle's six-minute address was recorded in the drawing room of Clarence House last November.

“He was very impressive and professional. It only took one take,” said Sean Reel, Commercial Director for Connecta Group, which produced the hologram.

“He was keen on using the hologram to show his commitment to reducing his own carbon footprint,” added Mr Reel.

“He is walking back and forth, and gesturing with his hands. It looks as though he is right there,” he said.

The prince was dressed in a dark suit, with a white flower worn in his lapel. Editors spliced in an image of a lectern.

The hologram was only slightly more expensive to produce than a traditional video link.

Former US Vice-President Al Gore used similar technology to appear as a hologram in Tokyo at the beginning of the Live Earth concerts earlier this year.

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