Prince William received the ceremonial keys to Rio de Janeiro from Mayor Eduardo Paes on Monday as the Prince of Wales arrived in Brazil for an official visit focused on climate change.
The future king received the keys at the top of the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain, according to local media.
“The energy of Rio is contagious,” William said as the enthusiastic crowd welcomed the Prince of Wales.
William will host the Earthshot Awards ceremony on Wednesday.
The prince will also represent King Charles at the COP 30 summit in Belem where he will deliver a speech and meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
According to Reuters, pop star Kylie Minogue and former Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel will be among the celebrities joining England’s Prince William for the awards ceremony in Brazil for his multi-million dollar environmental prize.
William launched the Earthshot Prize in 2020 with the aim of finding innovative solutions to pressing environmental problems.
Performers on the evening include Brazilian musicians Gilberto Gil, Seu Jorge and Anitta, as well as Canadian pop singer Shawn Mendes and Minogue, recently chosen by William’s father, King Charles, as an artist whose music brings him joy.
Earthshot’s goal is to find innovations to tackle climate and other ecological problems, and is each rewarding five winners with one million pounds ($1.3 million) to complete their projects.
