Prince William, the Prince of Wales, has embarked on a significant five-day visit to Brazil, marking his first trip to the country with a strong focus on environmental causes. His arrival in Rio de Janeiro was highlighted by a symbolic and ceremonial moment when he was presented with the keys to the city, an honour bestowed upon him by Rio’s mayor, Eduardo Paes. The handover took place at one of the city’s most famous landmarks, Sugarloaf Mountain, where Prince William enjoyed a panoramic view of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.
The prince's ascent to the mountain’s summit was made by cable car, a journey that caught many tourists by surprise as they queued for their turn. Upon descending, Prince William warmly interacted with the public, posing for selfies with onlookers and visitors who had gathered, eager to catch a glimpse of the royal. This approachable and engaging demeanor set the tone for his visit, which is centered around two major environmental initiatives.
During his stay, Prince William is scheduled to present the Earthshot Prize, an annual environmental award established by his own charitable foundation. The prize, now at its midway point in a planned ten-year commitment, awards £1 million in five categories to innovative projects that aim to address and repair the damage caused by climate change. This year’s shortlist is particularly diverse and ambitious, featuring initiatives such as an upcycled skyscraper in Sydney, the entire island of Barbados, and a company based in Bristol that has developed technology to filter microplastics from washing machines.
In announcing the nominees, Prince William expressed his admiration for the courage and optimism embodied by the innovators behind these projects. He described them as “heroes of our time” and emphasized the importance of supporting their work to ensure a cleaner, safer world filled with opportunities, not just for future generations but for the present as well. This message underscores the ethos of the Earthshot Prize, which aims to inspire action and hope in the face of the climate crisis.
Following the key ceremony, Mayor Eduardo Paes commented on the prince’s enthusiasm for Rio, jokingly declaring that with the keys to the city, Prince William had full authority over it for the next 72 hours. The mayor expressed his delight that the prince had been “amazed with the beauty of the city,” highlighting the warm reception the royal visitor received.
Prince William’s visit to Rio is not only significant for its environmental focus but also because it represents one of his most high-profile royal engagements of the year. It is also the first public appearance in which he has been seen representing the Royal Family since the recent crisis involving his uncle, Prince Andrew. There has been speculation about Prince William’s involvement in the decision to sanction Andrew—an action that included stripping Andrew of his remaining royal titles and requesting that he leave his residence at Windsor. However, sources close to the matter have clarified that while William’s opinion as the future monarch holds considerable weight, the decision was ultimately taken by King Charles in consultation with his advisers and government officials.
Beyond the environmental agenda, Prince William’s itinerary in Rio includes experiencing some of the city’s famed cultural and sporting landmarks. As an avid football fan and Patron of the English Football Association, the prince made a special visit to the Maracanã Stadium on his first day. The stadium is a revered site in Brazil’s football history, having hosted numerous memorable matches for the football-obsessed nation.
At Maracanã, Prince William was warmly greeted by Cafu, Brazil’s most capped player and a football legend known for his role as a right back in three World Cup finals—a record in the sport’s history. Cafu presented the prince with a signed Brazil national team shirt bearing the number 2, a gesture symbolizing the prince’s connection to Brazil’s rich football culture.
The visit quickly turned into an interactive and lively affair as Cafu and Prince William led training drills with local children. The prince, sporting a stylish pair of white trainers, enthusiastically joined in the activities, demonstrating his eagerness and sporting spirit. One particularly memorable drill involved playing a small-sided game while balancing a cup of water—an exercise designed to improve balance and control.
Towards the end of the training session, Prince William faced a moment of added pressure when tasked with taking a penalty kick—a scenario often fraught with nerves in football, especially for English players historically known for their struggles in penalty shootouts during major tournaments. However, the prince showed no signs of faltering. He calmly converted the penalty past