Britain’s Prince William kicked off a four-day visit to South Africa on Monday, engaging with local youth on climate action.
He met with 120 young environmentalists from Africa and Asia, who are part of a new leadership program linked to his Earthshot Prize initiative.
William then visited Ocean View township in Cape Town, where he participated in a rugby coaching session with schoolchildren.
Organized by The Atlas Foundation, a charity founded by former rugby player Jason Leonard, the session was filled with excitement as children playfully shouted, “Let’s tackle the prince!”
The highlight of the trip is Wednesday’s Earthshot Prize ceremony, where five winners will each receive £1 million ($1.3 million) for innovative environmental projects.
Launched in 2020, the award draws inspiration from John F. Kennedy’s ambitious “moonshot” project.
William hopes the Earthshot Prize will elevate African innovations, attract investors, and inspire youth across the continent.
While in South Africa, he will also attend a global wildlife summit and meet President Cyril Ramaphosa.
This visit marks William’s first trip to South Africa since 2010, as his wife, Kate, remains in the UK recovering from preventative chemotherapy.
His journey underscores a commitment to addressing pressing global environmental challenges.
