HIS GREATEST GIFT

The Prince of Wales tells HELLO! why his children are his biggest inspiration for protecting the planet as he heads to Brazil for this year's Earthshot Prize

- EMILY NASH

It's been five years since the Prince of Wales launched his ambitious £50m Earthshot Prize to find 50 solutions to the planet's biggest problems.

Now, midway through a critical decade for the Earth, Prince William's passion project is making great strides, even if there is still a lot to do.

But for the future King, there can be no greater motivation than his own children: Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, ten, and Prince Louis, seven.

Speaking exclusively to HELLO! ahead of this year's Earthshot awards ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he said: “As a father, I think constantly about the world my children will inherit. I want them to grow up surrounded by nature, opportunity and a sense of hope about the future.

“But I also know that unless we act boldly now, that future is at risk. The Earthshot Prize is about turning the tide, about proving to our children that we are willing to fight for their tomorrow.”

This sense of hope is key to the Prince’s mindset when it comes to tackling issues such as climate change, pollution and restoring the natural world.

BREAKING NEW GROUND

The Prince launched the environmental prize with the naturalist Sir David Attenborough in October 2020. The first awards ceremony took place at Alexandra Palace in London the following year, and William has since taken the event to the US, Singapore and South Africa.

This week, it lands in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the future King will be joined for a glittering awards ceremony by A-list performers, including Kylie Minogue, Shawn Mendes and the Brazilian stars Gilberto Gil, Seu Jorge and Anitta.