Prince William walks passed an Andy Warhol portrait of his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.Photo:Sarah Yenesel - Pool / Getty
Sarah Yenesel - Pool / Getty
Prince Williamsaw a familiar face during his visit to New York City on Tuesday: his late grandmotherQueen Elizabeth.
Poignantly for the Prince of Wales, 41, the meeting cameexactly a year after the funeralof Queen Elizabeth, who died on Sept. 8 last year.
Taking place in the week focusing on the climate and as Prince William prepared to unveil the latest finalists of his Earthshot Prize that seeks to find answers to the environmental issues the world faces, they spoke about the efforts being made to counter the threats to the planet.
Prince William talks with the President of Ecuador, Lasso Mendoza.Sarah Yenesel - Pool / Getty
The Prince of Wales said that he’d been reminding himself “of all the fantastic work that Ecuador has done” for the environment. During the meeting, William praised Ecuador’s positive leadership in fighting plastics pollution and noted the U.K. government supports Ecuador’s desire to host the signing of a new internationally binding treaty in the Galapagos Islands.
Prince William’s staff point out that Ecuador is especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and has been working hard to introduce ambitious, innovative climate change solutions. The country is taking important steps to protect its forests and oceans and mobilizing green finance while promoting the inclusion of local communities. It has led globally in biodiversity protection, tackling plastic pollution and nature financing.
It was one of those meetings that will further enhance Prince William’s growing reputation on the world stage, something that he has stepped up since becoming Prince of Wales and heir to the throne after the death of his grandmother.
Prince William and the Warhol portrait.Sarah Yenesel - Pool / Getty
Prince William is on atwo-day visit to the city, where he hopes to further enhance his campaign for the planet, including the promotion of hisEarthshot Prize, which seeks to garner what the royal calls “urgent optimism” as it finds solutions to solve the planet’s crises.
At the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit later on Tuesday, he will unveil the 15 finalists vying for the 2023 awards.
He continued, “Eighty years ago, the world came together in this great city to find a new way, through the UN, to solve our shared challenges. I know our generation can take the bold action we need to make changes toward a healthy and sustainable world. The challenge may feel huge, but as John F. Kennedy taught us, we rise to the challenge not because it is easy, but because it is hard. And vital.”
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Prince William was scheduled to attend the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in New York City last year, but he was forced tocancel the trip statesideafter the death of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth.
“Protecting the environment was a cause close to my grandmother’s heart, and I know she would have been delighted to hear about this event and the support you’re all giving our Earthshot finalists, the next generation of environmental pioneers,” he added.
source: people.com
