Climate change and supporting vulnerable young people were at the heart of a series of events during the second day of the US visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
William and Kate received a warm welcome from large crowds as they made their way through Boston with many queuing for several hours in the cold to greet them.
Their first stop of the day was at the climate tech hub, Greentown Labs, where the couple met many involved in environmental start ups. The focus there is on sustainability and decarbonisation with the Prince and Princess being given an overview of what is now North America’s biggest clean tech business incubator.
On departure, they carried out an unscheduled walkabout where among the wellwishers they chatted to was eight year old Henry who came in his soldier’s outfit, bought earlier this year in London.
The Prince and Princess of Wales then headed to Roca, a non profit organisation aiming to support young adults, aged 16 to 24, at most risk of social deprivation. Roca works with a wide range of services including child protection, the police and the justice system to help break cycles of poverty and violence.
The couple met many of the young mums and young men being helped by Roca as well as those involved in supporting them. They were shown how cognitive behavioural therapy has become a mainstay in the work of the organisation to disrupt cycles of violcen. They also heard about the joined up approach being taken by Roca. Just before she left for the US, the Princess of Wales spoke out on the lack of joined up services for young people in the UK and the devastating impact that can have on their lives and future prospects.
The final engagement saw William and Kate head to Piers Park to see the work going on around climate resiliency at Boston Harbour. There was a focus, too, on the Prince of Wales’ Earthshot Prize as a new partnership between Boston Harbour Now and Living Sea Walls, a 2021 finalist for the award, was announced.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are in Boston for the final of the 2022 Earthshot Prize. They are also expected to meet US President, Joe Biden, as their visit continues.
