In the bustling month of November, it was none other than Prince William who embarked on a journey to the vibrant landscapes of South Africa, gearing up for the fourth annual Earthshot Prizes—an eminent accolade championing groundbreaking climate solutions that he was instrumental in establishing back in 2020. The charismatic Hannah Waddingham, acclaimed for her role as Rebecca on the celebrated series Ted Lasso, has been a staunch advocate for this noble initiative. However, this year, Waddingham found herself unable to jet off to Cape Town for the grand ceremony and instead extended a heartfelt invitation to the prince, proposing an afternoon filled with cider and darts—an opportunity to debrief on the adventures of his trip. Their engaging encounter was subsequently shared on the Earthshot Prize’s YouTube channel.
“It was absolutely fantastic,” William remarked with palpable enthusiasm. “We reached that exquisite peak where it transformed into more of a concert atmosphere rather than a traditional award ceremony. The energy was just phenomenal.”
The spontaneous gathering was also a precursor to The Earthshot Report, a documentary unveiling the strides made toward the prize’s objectives, which aired in the UK on Sunday and is set to captivate audiences in the US this Wednesday. As the dart game commenced, Waddingham amusingly confessed to her mixed feelings about competing against “the future king of England.” Her apprehension shifted to laughter as she struggled with her initial throws; “I am so furious,” she exclaimed as William celebrated his successful shots.
Over shared sips of cider, William delved into the essence of his vision behind the climate prize, pinpointing a decade-long roadmap for transformation. “We prefer to conceptualize it as a decade of change. The changes we envision must gain traction swiftly, hence the Earthshot Prize runs in this transformative decade,” he elaborated. “Currently, our emphasis lies in highlighting, showcasing, and scaling the remarkable solutions available. We aim to invest in, recognize, and leverage them to cultivate a sustainable and improved future for all.”
During his momentous visit to South Africa, he donned a pair of biodegradable shoes from the brand Purified—crafted with an innovative, plastic-free leather alternative, conceived by Earthshot winners NFW. While engaging in light-hearted competition with Waddingham, he noted, “I’m wearing the biodegradable shoes again.” He further reflected on the prize’s pivotal role in linking innovative companies with investors poised to support their endeavors in mitigating environmental degradation.
“We’ve developed something called Launchpad, which essentially acts as a matchmaking service connecting innovators to investors,” he revealed. “By facilitating this union, we’ve conducted all necessary due diligence, enabling investors to step in confidently, assuring them of the credibility and efficacy of what they’re backing.”
