Kicking off on Monday, the prince will engage with young environmentalists from Africa and Southeast Asia participating in the inaugural Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme. The following day, he will meet with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, participating in a fireside chat during Earthshot+ Day and attending the United for Wildlife Global Summit.
Prince William, who founded the organization to combat illegal wildlife trade in 2013, is expected to deliver a historic speech emphasizing his support for nature, the environment, and park rangers during this important event.
Highlights of the Earthshot Prize Awards
The focal point of William’s visit will be the Earthshot Prize ceremony, held in a specially created eco-dome that utilizes renewable energy from local wind farms. The awards will feature a star-studded lineup, with supermodel Heidi Klum and Winnie Harlow among the presenters. Award-winning actor and singer Billy Porter, alongside television presenter Bonang Matheba, will host the event, announcing the five Earthshot winners.
Musical performances will include Afrobeats star Davido, Tanzanian artist Diamond Platnumz, DJ Uncle Waffles, and Grammy Award winner Lebo M. The awards will be broadcast live through a special partnership with YouTube and the MultiChoice Network across 50 African countries.
Focus on Sustainable Fashion
Prince William has previously donned a ten-year-old deep green Alexander McQueen blazer at last year’s awards in Singapore. This year in South Africa, sustainability will again be a central theme on the green carpet. Hannah Jones, CEO of the Earthshot Prize, highlighted the initiative’s commitment to sustainable fashion, stating that the fashion industry contributes 10% of global carbon emissions and significantly impacts landfills, particularly in Africa where second-hand clothing often ends up.
Jones remarked, “We need to see some radical changes in the fashion world, and we are looking at incredible innovations through our nominations pipeline.”
Finalists from countries including France, Ghana, Indonesia, and Nepal will compete for £1 million awards across five categories, each aimed at developing innovative solutions: Protect and Restore Nature; Clean Our Air; Revive Our Oceans; Build a Waste-Free World; and Fix Our Climate.
Inspired by former U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s Moonshot Project, which aimed to land a man on the Moon, the Earthshot Prize seeks to highlight innovative solutions that address critical environmental challenges.
Prince William’s Journey to Cape Town
The fourth awards ceremony in Cape Town represents a full-circle moment for Prince William, as Africa was pivotal in inspiring the creation of the Earthshot Prize. According to a spokesperson from Kensington Palace, the prince was inspired by projects focused on environmental protection and community support during his visit to Namibia in September 2018.
Frustrated by global pessimism regarding climate change, he sought a way to spotlight and elevate the innovative solutions observed on the ground, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Earthshot Prize.
Stay tuned for what promises to be an impactful event highlighting the urgent need for environmental action and innovation.
