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British RoyalsPrince & Princess of Wales

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to host major reception on behalf of The Queen

Kensington Palace announced on Wednesday morning that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will host a reception, on behalf of The Queen, for the UK-Africa Investment Summit 2020 later this month.

Hosted by the British Government, and directly hosted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the UK-Africa Investment Summit will “bring together businesses, governments and international institutions to showcase and promote the breadth and quality of investment opportunities across Africa,” per the UK government website.

“The Summit will strengthen the UK’s partnership with African nations to build a secure and prosperous future for all our citizens. It will mobilise new and substantial investment to create jobs and boost mutual prosperity,” the release continues.

William and Kate will host a reception for all of the invitees at Buckingham Palace, which includes prominent business leaders and other representatives from the United Kingdom and from across Africa.

Prince William has long advocated for initiatives that benefit the people, wildlife and economy in Africa. He has been the patron of the Royal African Society since 2017, supports Tusk and other wildlife conservation organisations, and created the United For Wildlife charity to support and protect “endangered species like elephants, rhinos, tigers and pangolins” from extinction.

At the time he accepted the patronage of the Royal African Society, the Duke of Cambridge said, “My patronage of the Royal African Society is an honour and I will certainly continue to be a passionate advocate for Africa here in the UK.”

His most recent visit to the African continent came in 2018, when he visited Namibia and Tanzania to see the conservation projects initiated by Tusk. At the Tusk Trust Awards last November, William spoke about the need to stop the illegal ivory trade and focus on environmental preservation in an impassioned speech:

“As we approach the start of a new decade, the challenge ahead of us is clear and urgent.

“Climate change, human population growth, exploitation of natural resources, and habitat loss all pose major threats to the precious balance of our natural world.

“My father has been ringing the alarm bell on these issues for years. He inherited his passion for the environment from my grandfather and passed it on to the next generation.

“Right now, young people the world over are ringing that planetary alarm bell louder and with more determination than ever before.

“My generation and those following are acutely aware that we cannot simply carry on as we are. We have to move faster and more effectively to find ways to balance our demands on this planet with the nature we share it with. 

“But we must resist the tendency to look at these environmental challenges with shock, despondency or pessimism.

“So as we approach 2020 – being described as a ‘super year’ for the environment – let us instead seize the opportunity of a new decade to move forward with optimism and action.”

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.