The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took part in a Generation Earthshot event ahead of this weekend’s inaugural awards ceremony, completing activities that young people can do to help save the planet.
The royals were joined by schoolchildren from The Heathlands School, Hounslow, at Kew Gardens in London for the afternoon. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Kahn and Olympian Helen Glover and Steve Backshall, an explorer and naturalist, also joined the royals for the event.
People magazine spoke with some of the children present afterwards, who said the activities inspired them to learn more about how they can help save the planet.
“We shared a lot of our ideas. It made a big impact with us as well. Earthshot is helping make the world aware. Something has to be done,” said Kalima Wojcikiew.
Helen Glover told People that “Children are so comfortable around [William and Kate]. I think they see them opening up the floor, speaking freely and easily, and talking excitedly to them.”
In a statement from Kensington Palace, William said: “Education is such an important part of protecting our planet. We must inspire in the next generation the optimism, confidence and enthusiasm to chase those solutions and to continue building a more sustainable future.
“We know that young children already identify the climate as one of their biggest worries, and Generation Earthshot aims to educate and encourage them that together we can find the answers.
“Children can be uniquely creative, and I can’t wait to see some of the ideas that are shared with us.”
Generation Earthshot is another arm of Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, the result of a partnership with The World’s Largest Lesson to teach young people about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and other matters related to saving the planet.
Mayor Khan said, “It’s been great to work with the bright young leaders of our future today to develop ideas on how to address the climate and environmental crisis.
“I want London to be a zero-pollution city so that no child has to grow up in our city breathing toxic air, and I’m determined that we continue to tackle the twin dangers of air pollution and the climate emergency so that we can deliver a future that’s greener, fairer and more prosperous for everyone.”
The first Earthshot Prize ceremony will take place on Sunday at Alexandra’s Palace in London. It will be broadcast by BBC and Discovery+.
