Prince William Kicks Off Earthshot Prize Promotion in Rio
Prince William arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Monday, November 3, 2025, marking his first official visit to Latin America. His primary objective is to promote the Earthshot Prize, a global initiative he founded to discover and support innovative solutions to the world's most pressing environmental issues. The visit culminates in the fifth annual Earthshot Prize awards ceremony, scheduled for Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio.
The Prince of Wales expressed his enthusiasm for the trip, stating before his departure, 'I am excited for my first visit and to experience Brazil's vibrant culture, its extraordinary biodiversity, and above all, the warmth of its people.' He added, 'With the world's eyes turning to Brazil this week, there is no better place to celebrate bold climate leadership.'
Engagements and Environmental Focus
During his time in Rio, Prince William is undertaking a series of engagements designed to spotlight local conservation efforts and connect with environmental leaders. His itinerary includes visits to iconic sites, participation in sports activities such as playing volleyball on Copacabana Beach and a soccer penalty shootout at Maracanã stadium, and meetings with local communities and young climate advocates. He is also expected to meet the 15 finalists of this year's Earthshot Prize at the famous Christ the Redeemer statue before the awards ceremony.
A significant part of his visit involves attending the United for Wildlife Summit, an initiative of his Royal Foundation, which will focus on combating environmental crime, including illegal logging, gold mining, and wildlife trafficking. This focus underscores Brazil's critical role as one of the most biodiverse countries globally, home to a significant portion of the Amazon rainforest.
The Earthshot Prize: A Decade of Action
The Earthshot Prize, launched by Prince William in 2020, was inspired by U.S. President John F. Kennedy's 1962 'Moonshot' challenge. It aims to find and scale solutions to 'repair' the planet within a decade. The prize awards £1 million (approximately $1.3 million) to five winners each year across five categories, known as 'Earthshots':
- Protect and Restore Nature
- Clean Our Air
- Revive Our Oceans
- Build a Waste-Free World
- Fix Our Climate
This year's awards ceremony is touted as the 'biggest and best Earthshot ever'. It will feature a star-studded lineup of performers, including Kylie Minogue, Shawn Mendes, Brazilian popstar Anitta, and three-time Grammy winner Seu Jorge. The event will be hosted by Brazilian broadcaster Luciano Huck, with presenters such as former Brazilian defender Cafu, four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel, and Indigenous community leader Txai Surui.
Beyond Rio: COP30 in Belém
Following his engagements in Rio, Prince William will travel to Belém, the Amazonian city hosting the COP30 climate talks. There, he will represent his father, King Charles III, and the UK government, delivering a speech and participating in bilateral meetings with world leaders. This dual visit highlights the UK's commitment to global environmental action and Prince William's growing role as a statesman on the international stage.
5 Comments
paracelsus
Fantastic to see Prince William leading on environmental issues! This is truly inspiring.
anubis
This 'Moonshot' idea is so out of touch. Real environmental work is grassroots, not royal tours.
paracelsus
While the celebrity involvement will undoubtedly draw a lot of eyes to the cause, which is good for awareness, I hope the underlying scientific and community-led efforts don't get overshadowed. The message needs to be more than just glamour.
eliphas
Why is a British royal telling Brazil how to manage its environment? Feels a bit colonial, doesn't it?
paracelsus
The Earthshot Prize offers significant funding and recognition for innovators, which is a definite positive step. Yet, the challenge remains in scaling these solutions globally and ensuring they reach the communities most affected, beyond the initial award.