Prince William, the Prince of Wales, arrived in Cape Town, South Africa, on November 4, 2024, for a four-day visit centered on environmental initiatives and climate change. This marks his first visit to South Africa since 2010.

Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony

A highlight of Prince William’s visit is the annual Earthshot Prize awards ceremony, scheduled for November 6. Established in 2020, the Earthshot Prize aims to discover and scale innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Each year, five winners receive £1 million to advance their projects. This year’s ceremony, the fourth since the prize’s inception, is notably the first to be held on the African continent. The event will take place in a specially constructed Earthshot Prize Dome in Cape Town and will be broadcast across 50 African countries and globally.
PEOPLE

Engagements and Meetings

During his stay, Prince William is set to engage with various stakeholders:

Global Wildlife Summit: He will deliver a speech at the United for Wildlife Global Summit, emphasizing the importance of conservation and the fight against wildlife trafficking.
THE TIMES

Meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa: Prince William is scheduled to meet with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the president’s official residence. This meeting underscores the strengthening diplomatic ties between the United Kingdom and South Africa.
THE TIMES

Community Engagements: The Prince will interact with young environmental advocates and local fishermen, highlighting grassroots efforts in conservation and sustainable practices.
AP NEWS

Personal Connection to Africa

Prince William has often spoken about his deep personal connection to Africa. He has described the continent as a place of solace following his mother, Princess Diana’s, death and as the location where he proposed to Catherine, now the Princess of Wales, in Kenya in 2010. Africa also inspired the creation of the Earthshot Prize during his visit to Namibia in 2018.
PEOPLE

Absence of the Princess of Wales

The Princess of Wales, Catherine, is not accompanying Prince William on this trip. She is currently recovering from preventative chemotherapy for cancer. Prince William’s solo visit underscores his commitment to environmental causes and the importance of the engagements planned in South Africa.
REUTERS

Significance of the Visit

Prince William’s visit to South Africa highlights the critical climate issues faced by the continent, which, despite contributing minimally to global emissions, is significantly vulnerable to climate impacts. By hosting the Earthshot Prize in Cape Town, the initiative aims to amplify African-led solutions, attract investment, and inspire the next generation of environmental leaders across the continent.
PEOPLE

This visit not only reinforces the United Kingdom’s diplomatic relations with South Africa but also emphasizes the global importance of collaborative efforts in addressing environmental challenges.