Launched in 2020, the Earthshot initiative is a $68 million environmental prize that aims to award five annual prizes of $1.4 million each across various categories such as clean air, ocean protection, waste reduction, climate solutions, and nature restoration. The initiative has seen impressive results, with finalists collectively capturing 4.8 million tonnes of CO2, preventing 250,000 tons of waste from reaching landfills, and restoring over one million square kilometers of land and oceans.

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, has been actively involved in the Earthshot Prize and has even identified China as a potential future host nation. During a visit to China in 2015, he met with President Xi Jinping to discuss issues such as the ivory trade and wildlife trafficking, showcasing his commitment to environmental conservation on a global scale.

The recent announcement that the Earthshot Prize will be hosted in Mumbai in November has garnered praise from Devendra Fadnavis, the chief minister of Maharashtra. He stated, “Sustainability and climate action remain top priorities for Maharashtra, and the Earthshot Prize will create global attention for India’s leadership and commitment to turning our goals into meaningful action on the ground.”

While Kensington Palace has not confirmed which members of the royal family will attend the ceremony in Mumbai, it is expected that Prince William will travel to India for the event. His wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales, has stayed in the UK with their three children for the past four ceremonies but continues to support the initiative from afar.