From his difficult teenage years to his marriage proposal, Prince William has talked about the importance of Africa in his life journey so far as he prepares to fly to Cape Town for his annual Earthshot Awards.
The Prince will spend next week in South Africa, but wants to celebrate the efforts of the entire African continent when it comes to tackling the climate crisis.
Explaining how Africa was the birthplace for the idea of the environmental prize, William said: “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 most recently as the founding inspiration behind The Earthshot Prize.
“It was in Namibia in 2018 that I realised the power of how innovative, positive solutions to environmental problems could drive transformative change for humans and nature.”
This year marks the fourth year of the ten-year award programme.
Launched in 2021, it celebrates the entrepreneurs and startups coming up with innovative solutions to the greatest environmental challenges.
It awards five winners every year with £1m each.
This year’s event, described as Prince William’s “Super Bowl moment”, will take place in The Earthshot Prize Dome.
The purpose-built venue beside Cape Town Stadium is the biggest of its kind in Africa and twice as long as a rugby pitch.
It uses a structure designed and engineered in South Africa, which has been used previously and will be used again for future events in the country.
Table Mountain towering over Cape Town, South Africa. Pic: iStock
The organisers have also revealed how Cape Town’s Table Mountain will feature in the show, with an exclusive performance by Lebo M of Circle of Life from The Lion King, pre-recorded at the top.
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