Prince William attended the Tusk Awards on Wednesday, where he delivered a keynote speech and presented three awards.
During his address, the Prince of Wales shared his hopes for the world his children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—will inherit.
“I want my children to grow up in a world where swallows still migrate, gorillas continue to inhabit the cloud forests of Uganda, and rhinos roam the dry rangelands of Namibia,” he expressed.
Part of the ceremony also honored rangers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and William took a moment in his speech to pay tribute to them.
“The somber Roll of Honour we saw earlier recognizes the rangers who lost their lives and serves as a reminder of the ultimate price too many have paid on the frontline of conservation,” he remarked.
As patron of Tusk, which he helped launch in 2013, William spoke about the organization’s mission to celebrate the work of conservation leaders and wildlife rangers across Africa. He also met with celebrity ambassadors of the charity, including Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood.
A passionate conservationist, Prince William follows in the footsteps of his father, King Charles. During a recent trip to South Africa for his Earthshot Prize event, the 42-year-old royal addressed young activists, telling them, “You are going to change the world.”
While in Cape Town, William met with 120 young environmentalists from across Africa and Southeast Asia who were part of the inaugural Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme.
Speaking candidly at an event at Rooftop on Bree, the Prince said, “The Earthshot Prize believes in you, and the reason we created the prize was for moments like this.” He continued, “All of you in this room are the future changemakers, the leaders who will make a difference. This is your platform—use it, shape it, and make it your own. Because we believe in you, and what you’re going to do will change the world. I truly believe that.”
