While much of the world watches the royal family face turbulent times, Prince William is turning his attention to something far bigger than palace drama — the planet itself.
In a new interview ahead of this year’s Earthshot Prize ceremony in Brazil, the Prince of Wales revealed that he constantly worries about the kind of world his three children — Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 — will grow up in.
His comments come as the royal family navigates one of its most intense periods of public scrutiny, following shocking updates about his uncle, the former Duke of York.
A Father Thinking About the Future
Speaking to Hello! magazine for its first-ever “green issue,” William, 43, appeared relaxed in a casual light-blue shirt and jumper as he reflected on his hopes — and fears — as both a father and environmental advocate.
“As a father, I think constantly about the world my children will inherit,” he said.
“I want them to grow up surrounded by nature, opportunity and a sense of hope about the future. But unless we act boldly now, that future is at risk.”
For William, the Earthshot Prize, which he launched in 2020, isn’t just an environmental initiative — it’s deeply personal.
“The Earthshot Prize is about turning the tide,” he added.
“It’s about proving to our children that we are willing to fight for their tomorrow.”
The Earthshot Vision and Why It Matters
William’s £50 million Earthshot Prize aims to find and support groundbreaking solutions to tackle the planet’s most urgent environmental challenges.
Each year, five winners receive £1 million to develop their projects and bring sustainable change to life.
“Urgent optimism is the heartbeat of the Earthshot Prize,” William said.
“The challenges we face are immense, but the solutions are within reach. We must act with speed and conviction to bring them to life.”
This year’s awards will be held in Rio de Janeiro on November 5, with a star-studded lineup including Kylie Minogue, Shawn Mendes, and Brazilian legend Gilberto Gil.
The ceremony will be hosted by Luciano Huck, one of Brazil’s most popular TV presenters, and feature appearances by football icon Cafu, Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel, and Indigenous activist Txai Surui.
A Royal Trip to Brazil Amid Rising Tensions
Prince William’s visit to Brazil marks his first trip to the country, but it comes at a tense moment.
Just days before his arrival, Rio de Janeiro was rocked by deadly police raids that left more than 130 people dead — the city’s bloodiest operation against gang violence to date.
Thousands of police and soldiers have now been deployed to secure the area as world attention turns to Brazil for the Earthshot ceremony and the COP30 global climate summit in Belem, which William will also attend.
“As I depart for Rio de Janeiro, I am excited for my first visit and to experience Brazil’s vibrant culture, its extraordinary biodiversity, and above all, the warmth of its people,” William said.
“Hosting The Earthshot Prize allows us to celebrate bold climate leadership and be inspired by those driving change.”
A Moment of Pride Amid Royal Upheaval
William’s global environmental work comes as the Royal Family faces unprecedented upheaval.
Just days before his Earthshot interview, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince Andrew, 65, will now be known only as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The Palace stated that the “censures were deemed necessary” amid ongoing controversy surrounding Andrew’s ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Within hours, Andrew was erased from the Roll of the Peerage, and reports surfaced suggesting he could face private prosecution over allegations of sexual assault, corruption, and misconduct in public office.
Sources say William was “seething” with his uncle during the Duchess of Kent’s funeral and that he fully supported King Charles’s decision to strip Andrew of his royal title and evict him from Royal Lodge.
The Message of Hope Behind the Green Issue
The Hello! magazine feature not only celebrates William’s environmental vision but also marks a milestone for the publication itself.
Editor Jessica Callan explained, “We are huge supporters of the Prince of Wales and his Earthshot Prize, and turning our logo green for the first time is a symbolic and exciting moment.
It reflects our deep commitment to sustainability and to celebrating those who are making a real difference.”
She added that the special issue represents “hope, positivity, action and inspiration — values that are at the heart of both The Earthshot Prize and Hello! itself.”
Looking Ahead to a Greener Tomorrow
As William prepares to step onto the global stage in Brazil, his message is clear — the fight for the planet’s future cannot wait.
“When we work together with optimism and courage,” he said, “a more sustainable future is within our reach.”
Whether it’s through his Earthshot Prize or his passionate advocacy for environmental reform, Prince William seems determined to leave behind more than just royal legacy — he wants to leave his children a world worth inheriting.