Prince William arrives in Singapore.Photo:Chris Jackson/Getty
Chris Jackson/Getty
Prince Williamhas touched down in Singapore for the first time in more than a decade.
“It’s fantastic to be back in Singapore for this year’s Earthshot Prize ceremony, after 11 years,” he said in a statement.
“Singapore’s bold vision to be a leader for environmental innovation sets the standard for others to follow,” he continued. “I am grateful to the Singaporean people for hosting us this week. Let us all take inspiration from the fantastic work being done here as we celebrate this year’s Earthshot Prize finalists.”
Prince William visits the HSBC Rain Vortex at Jewel Changi Airport.Chris Jackson/Getty
In honor of the Earthshot ceremony this week, the fountain has been illuminated green. According to theAssociated Press, William stood on an upper floor to take in the view of the 40-meter-high water feature. He was also shown a tree planted in his honor at the foot of the Rain Vortex.
William last visited Singapore in 2012 with wifeKate Middleton. This time, he’s traveling solo, as the Princess of Wales, 41, opted to stay home to support their eldest child,Prince George, 10, who is preparing for some important school exams.
In between his Earthshot Prize commitments, William is scheduled to take part in the popular local sport of dragon boating. He is also expected to attend theUnited for Wildlife Global Summit, a convening of international leaders from conservation, government, law enforcement and the private sector to discuss solutions for combatting the illegal wildlife trade.
Prince William visits Singapore ahead of the third-annual Earthshot Prize ceremony.Chris Jackson/Getty
William and hisRoyal Foundationcharity launched theEarthshot Prizein 2020 with the goal of fostering innovative solutions and technologies to fight climate change and other environmental challenges. The prince will be at Tuesday’s star-studded awards ceremony walking the green carpet along with actress Cate Blanchett and musical guests.
Waddingham, 49, said she is “thrilled” to be involved in the event. “The work of the 2023 Prize Finalists is a hopeful reminder of the power of optimism, innovation and human ingenuity,” she said in a statement. “It is an enormous honor to be joining forces with the Prince of Wales for this exciting evening and to play a part in sharing the finalists’ inspiring stories and solutions with the world.”
Last month, it was announced that Prince William had written a foreward for the new bookA Handbook for Dreamers and Thinkers: Solutions to Repair Our Planet. In it, he detailed his inspiration for creating the Earthshot Prize.
“In the 1960s, the world looked to the skies as the great unknown, and the American president John F. Kennedy set a Moonshot challenge…encouraging scientists, innovators and businesses to come together to put a person on the moon,” he wrote.
“Right now, we need to shoot for the EARTH. Our planet is the only home we have, and we must think big and dream bigger if we are to protect it.”
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This year’s Earthshot Prize ceremony will be broadcast in the U.S. on PBS on Nov. 12. The show also will be available to stream on YouTube.
source: people.com
