The Prince of Wales has expressed his profound personal ties to Africa as he prepares for the upcoming Earthshot Prize awards ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa, next week. He stated, “Africa has always held a special place in my heart—it’s where I found comfort as a teenager and where I proposed to my wife.” This sentiment reflects the emotional connections he has formed with the continent over the years.

Prince William’s mother, Diana, had strong links to Africa, notably her involvement with a mine-clearing charity. His experiences on the continent as a young adult have clearly influenced him. In fact, it was during a romantic getaway in Kenya in 2010 that he proposed to Catherine, revealing he had carried his late mother’s engagement ring in his backpack for weeks leading up to that special moment.

He emphasized that this year’s Earthshot Prize ceremony is returning to its African roots, citing a trip to Namibia as the initial inspiration for the awards. “In Namibia in 2018, I witnessed how innovative solutions to environmental challenges can drive transformative change for both people and nature,” Prince William remarked.

Since its inception in 2021, the Earthshot Prize has championed sustainable projects worldwide, awarding five winners £1 million each. This year’s event places particular emphasis on African innovations, with over 400 projects led by Africans nominated and an additional 350 associated with the continent.

Despite Africa being one of the lowest contributors to global emissions, many of its nations are among those most at risk from climate change. The focus of the Earthshot awards is on tangible outcomes and scaling successful ideas for broader impact. One notable example from last year involved a project aimed at reducing air pollution from car tires, which is now being developed through a partnership with Uber in both the UK and US.

Prince William hopes that by the end of the week, the Earthshot Prize will serve as a platform for innovators driving change within their communities and attract potential investors to support African solutions at scale. He also aims to inspire young Africans engaged in environmental issues.

In line with the green theme of the event, attendees will walk on a green carpet instead of red, and notable South African landmarks will be illuminated in green light. The awards ceremony is scheduled for November 6 and will feature a performance from The Lion King on Table Mountain, with coverage available on BBC iPlayer. Meanwhile, representatives from 196 countries are convening in Cali, Colombia for a biodiversity summit.