Ahead of his solo visit to Cape Town, Prince William, 42, fondly shared a significant memory involving his wife, the Princess of Wales, highlighting his deep connection to Africa.
William expressed his affection for the continent, describing it as his “second home,” where he found solace as a teenager, proposed to Kate, and drew inspiration for The Earthshot Prize.
“Africa has always held a special place in my heart – as somewhere I found comfort as a teenager, where I proposed to my wife and, more recently, as the founding inspiration behind The Earthshot Prize,” he reflected.
During a gap year in 2001, William spent time in Africa following an expedition in Chile, shortly before meeting Kate Middleton at the University of St Andrews. Years later, in 2010, he proposed to Kate in Kenya, presenting her with his late mother’s sapphire and diamond ring.
“I took her up somewhere nice in Kenya and I proposed,” William shared, describing the moment as “really right” and “beautiful,” with Kate calling it “very romantic.”
During a recent visit to Namibia in 2018, William envisioned The Earthshot Prize, realizing the potential of innovative environmental solutions to create meaningful change.
Reflecting on its growth, he said, “Since its inception, The Earthshot Prize has traveled to Europe, North America, and Asia, spotlighting and scaling 45 groundbreaking solutions that impact communities globally.” Now in South Africa, he aims to highlight the next 15 finalists, celebrating the continent’s commitment to environmental innovation.
William hopes this year’s Earthshot Prize will elevate African innovators, attract investors, and inspire young people engaged in climate action. “If we come together with collective ambition and urgency, we can reshape the future of our planet,” he emphasized.
The 2024 Awards ceremony, scheduled for Wednesday, November 6, will be held in a reusable dome, supporting around 600 jobs in its construction. Prince William’s four-day South Africa trip will include meetings with young environmentalists and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
He will also deliver a landmark address on nature conservation and wildlife protection at a summit hosted by his United for Wildlife organization, which combats illegal animal trafficking.
