Prince William and Robert Irwin have arrived in South Africa for the fourth annual Earthshot Prize Awards.
The pair met at Signal Hill on the second day of Earthshot week where they spoke with young people from Mayine e-Africa, the Table Mountain National Park Manager, and the Mayor of the City of Cape Town Geordin Hill-Lewis.
The Prince of Wales named Robert as an inaugural Global Ambassador for the Earthshot Prize in September 2024.
The statement that announced the exciting news described Robert as a “passionate wildlife photographer, television host, and conservationist” before explaining why William had chosen Robert as an ambassador.
“As the son of the legendary Steve Irwin, Robert Irwin has inherited a profound love and respect for nature, which he has transformed into a lifelong commitment to environmental advocacy,” it read.
“His extensive work with the Australia Zoo and involvement in numerous projects aimed at preserving natural habitats and protecting endangered species has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the critical issues facing our ecosystems — important knowledge and expertise that he will bring to his role as an Ambassador.”
Alongside Robert, South African actress and humanitarian Nomzamo Mbatha was also named as an inaugural Global Ambassador for the Earthshot Prize.
In his statement, Robert said:
“The Earthshot Prize is a beacon of hope for all of us who care about the environment and about our ability to ensure a livable future for ourselves and future generations.
“Healthy oceans, ecosystems, and species equal a healthy planet, and The Earthshot Prize recognises the importance of investing in and helping grow solutions that protect these critical resources.
“I’m honoured to join Nomzamo as the first Earthshot Global Ambassador to help place a brighter spotlight on the inspiring change-makers saving the planet.”
Robert Irwin most recently met with Prince William at last year’s Earthshot Prize Awards.
The young Wildlife Warrior attended the ceremony with his then-girlfriend Rorie Buckey, the niece of the late Australian actor Heath Ledger (the two have since broken up).
Robert was spotted speaking with the Prince of Wales on the green carpet just before the awards ceremony began.
And then, later in the evening, Robert presented one of the 2023 Earthshot Prize Awards.
The Earthshot Prize Awards — presented by The Earthshot Prize Foundation and The Royal Foundation — are annually awarded to individuals and/or organisations who are providing impactful and sustainable solutions for Earth’s environmental problems and a charity dedicated to delivering global change.
They were first launched in 2020 by Prince William and David Attenborough, and currently, William is the President of The Earthshot Prize Council.
