The Prince of Wales delivered a rallying call to “join the movement for climate innovation” as he congratulated the winners of the 2024 Earthshot Prize at a glitzy ceremony in Cape Town.
Making a speech after the five winners of the £1million environmental ward had been announced, William said: “The Earthshot Prize isn’t just a celebration of winners. It’s a collaborative movement for change.
“And I now invite you to join the movement for climate innovation that’s happening around the world.”
Having opened with greetings in nine African languages, representing North, East, West and South Africa, the prince said: “Because that’s why we’re here.
“To champion the dreamers, the thinkers and the innovators from every walk of life, who share an ambition to build a better, more sustainable world.
“We’ll do everything we can to support them and help speed their solutions to scale. Because when they succeed, we all succeed. When they thrive, we all thrive. And when they win, we all win.”
The 2,000 guests who attended the Earthshot awards on Wednesday evening received a warm welcome by the best acts from this year’s Cape Town carnival.
They then headed inside the impressive eco-dome, the biggest of its kind in Africa, which saw stars such as Heidi Klum walk its iconic green carpet alongside the show’s hosts – Emmy award winning actor Billy Porter and TV presenter Bonang Matheb.
The green carpet has been a fixture since William first staged the awards ceremony three years ago in London, followed by Boston and Singapore last year.
Guests were asked to “rewear” their wardrobe or spotlight African designers to highlight the importance of local talent and sustainable fashion – and arrivals on the famous walkway were live-streamed via the Earthshot Prize’s YouTube channel for the first time, with hosts Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Moozlie.
William, who has worn sustainably clothing all week, wore a black and white vintage Prince of Wales check blazer from a local vintage store in London and sustainable trainers from Purified Shoes, as he walked the green carpet solo.
Taking to the stage after this year’s winners had been announced, the prince spoke fondly of his 2018 visits to Namibia and Tanzania, which inspired him to create the Earthshot prize after observing the impact small projects can have on the environment and local communities.
“I saw first-hand the extent to which people were dedicating their time, talent and vision to fixing environmental challenges, but they weren’t getting the support they needed to speed their solutions to scale or to have them replicated worldwide,” he told those gathered.
“However, I believe our world can be rich in possibility, in hope, and in optimism. That is why The Earthshot Prize exists.”
The ceremony was targeted at young people and featured special appearances from Davido, Uncle Waffles, Ndlovu Youth Choir, Nina Dobrev, Robert Irwin and Winnie Harlow.
The show got underway with a spectacular pre-recorded performance of the Circle Of Life from The Lion King on the top of Table Mountain by composer and singer Lebo M.
The five winners of William’s environmental prize have been awarded £1million to scale up their planet-saving ideas.
This year’s Finalists were selected from nearly 2,500 nominees submitted by the Prize’s network of more than 430 nominators from 75 countries.
