Prince William arrived in Cape Town on Monday for a four-day visit focused on promoting his Earthshot Prize, an initiative supporting environmental innovators worldwide. This marks William’s first trip to South Africa since 2010 and includes high-profile engagements, such as a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and participation in a global wildlife summit.
On Wednesday, the Prince will preside over the Earthshot Prize awards ceremony, where five winners will each receive £1 million ($1.3 million) to advance projects tackling climate change and environmental challenges. Launched in 2020, the Earthshot Prize was inspired by William’s visit to Namibia and echoes former U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s “moonshot” vision for achieving monumental goals.
“By the end of the week, I want The Earthshot Prize to have provided a platform for innovators to drive change within their communities, to attract investors who can help scale African solutions, and to inspire young Africans involved in climate efforts,” William stated before his arrival.
Traveling solo, the Prince’s wife, Princess Kate, remains in the UK as she recuperates from a course of preventative chemotherapy. South Africa, a former British colony, has seen calls for the return of diamonds that were mined there and later set in British crown jewels, adding a historical backdrop to the Prince’s visit.
