The Prince and Princess of Wales have touched down in Boston for their first American visit in eight years as the couple prepares to celebrate the second year of the Earthshot Prize.
Before arriving, William released a statement thanking Boston for hosting the couple and touching upon the memory of Queen Elizabeth II, who enjoyed herself on past visits to the capital city of Massachusetts.
William’s statement read: “On this, our first overseas visit since the death of my grandmother, I would like to thank the people of Massachusetts and particularly of Boston for their many tributes paid to the late Queen. She remembered her 1976 bicentennial visit with great fondness.
“My grandmother was one of life’s optimists. And so am I. That is why last year we launched the Earthshot Prize with the ambition to create a truly global platform to inspire hope and urgent optimism as we look to save the future of our planet.
“To the people of Boston, thank you. I’m so grateful to you for allowing us to host the second year of the Earthshot prize in your great city. Catherine and I can’t wait to meet many of you in the days ahead.”
The couple landed in Boston late afternoon and were immediately taken to a welcoming ceremony at City Hall, meeting Massachusetts’ Governor and Boston’s Mayor before conducting a walkabout to meet Bostonians.
As the Prince and Princess of Wales lit the City Hall in shades of green to celebrate the Earthshot Prize, William addressed the crowds, thanking the “hearty Bostonians braving the rain this evening” for joining them on their official welcome to the city.
The Earthshot Prize’s second iteration has been planned with support from the JFK Library in honour of the former US President who inspired William’s environmental prize with his ‘60s-era Moonshot to send an American to the moon.
Prince William touched upon President Kennedy’s inspiration in his speech at City Hall, saying, “Like President Kennedy, Catherine and I firmly believe that we all have it in ourselves to achieve great things, and that human beings have the ability to lead, innovate and problem solve.”
After their welcome at City Hall, William and Catherine later departed for a Boston Celtics basketball game, appearing on the jumbotron several times throughout the game.
Their Royal Highnesses will carry out engagements in Boston through to Friday that focus on their interests, culminating in the Earthshot Prize ceremony, where five new prize winners will receive £1 million each to fund their projects to repair and save the planet.
