Prince William shared his feelings about the special place Africa holds in his heart, a continent that has great significance in his life.
In fact, it was in Africa where he decided to propose to Kate Middleton over 13 years ago.
In a recent statement, the Prince of Wales spoke about the important connection he has with the continent just before his arrival in Cape Town, scheduled for Monday, November 4.
Prince William in Cape Town
This will be William’s first official trip to South Africa since 2010, increasing expectations for his engagements that end on Thursday, November 7.
The main event of his visit is the fourth annual Earthshot Prize award ceremony, which is set for Wednesday, November 6.
So, what exactly did Prince William say about Africa?
He said: “Africa has always held a special place in my heart: as a place where I found solace as a teenager, where I proposed to my wife, and more recently, as the founding inspiration for the Earthshot Prize.”
He also added: “It was in Namibia in 2018 that I realized the power of how innovative and positive solutions to environmental problems could drive transformative change for both humans and nature.”
It is evident that the prince feels proud of the impact the Earthshot Prize has had since its creation.
He mentioned: “I am proud that since its creation, the Earthshot Prize has traveled to Europe, North America, and Asia, highlighting and scaling up 45 innovative solutions, all of which are having a tangible impact as we work as a global collective to secure the future of our planet.”
Regarding his current visit, William added: “This week, we will travel to South Africa to announce our next cohort of 15 finalists and have the opportunity to join partners from across Africa to celebrate the inspiring approach to environmental innovation taking place across the continent.”
With optimism, he concluded: “By the end of the week, I want the Earthshot Prize to have provided a platform for all those innovators who are driving change for their communities, encouraged potential investors to scale up African solutions, and inspired young people across Africa who are committed to climate issues.”
Finally, Prince William emphasized his belief in unity and collaboration. “I firmly believe that if we unite with collective ambition and urgency, we can reshape the future of our planet.”
Undoubtedly, his mission is clear, and his commitment to the environment and the well-being of African communities is at the heart of his work.