The famous Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro will be illuminated in green this week to honor Prince William’s global Earthshot Awards. The Prince of Wales has arrived in Brazil for a three-day celebration of the nominees and winners of his esteemed environmental initiative, marking its debut in Latin America.
The Earthshot Prize will reach its pinnacle with an extravagant awards ceremony at Rio’s modern Museum of Tomorrow on Wednesday, where five winners will each be granted £1 million to advance their ideas for saving the planet. Following a challenging period for the royal family due to the allegations surrounding former Prince Andrew, Prince William aims to shift the focus to his visit to Brazil, culminating in a visit to the COP climate summit in Belem, known as ‘the gateway to the Amazon.’
Earthshot, offering £1 million prizes in five categories, is a key initiative of Prince William, now marking the halfway point of its decade-long mission across various countries globally. Inspired by U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 “Moonshot” speech, William’s objective is to accelerate environmental innovation to combat issues like climate change, ocean plastic pollution, and wildlife habitat loss by 2030.
The 2025 Finalists, selected from nearly 2,500 nominees across 72 countries, showcase exceptional climate leadership. The ceremony is anticipated to attract a combined audience of 34 million viewers in Brazil and the UK, the largest in the prize’s history, with broadcasts on BBC and Globo.
Before departing for Rio de Janeiro, the Prince of Wales expressed his excitement for the trip, looking forward to experiencing Brazil’s vibrant culture, biodiversity, and the warmth of its people. Recognizing Brazil as a fitting place to celebrate bold climate leadership, hosting The Earthshot Prize serves not only to acknowledge change drivers but also to draw inspiration from them towards a more sustainable future.
During his visit to Brazil, Prince William will also visit the renowned Christ the Redeemer statue as part of the local events. Jason Knauf, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, remarked on the global network of climate leaders established in just five years, emphasizing the existing solutions to major challenges and the unstoppable momentum at the critical halfway point of the Earthshot Decade.
Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have relocated to their permanent residence, Forest Lodge, with their children, transitioning from Adelaide Cottage to the Grade II-listed eight-bedroom mansion in Windsor Great Park. This move signifies a new beginning for the family following Kate’s recovery from cancer, coinciding with William’s upcoming journey to Rio for the Earthshot Prize Awards.