Prince William’s five-day visit to Brazil, which began on November 3, 2025, has been anything but ordinary. From scaling the heights of Sugarloaf Mountain to championing environmental causes on Copacabana Beach, the Prince of Wales has made his presence felt in Rio de Janeiro, blending royal tradition with a hands-on approach to conservation and community engagement.
William’s arrival in Rio marked his first official business trip to Latin America, a milestone that did not go unnoticed by local dignitaries. In a ceremony atop Sugarloaf Mountain, with the city’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in view, Mayor Eduardo Paes presented the prince with the keys to the city—a symbolic gesture reserved for distinguished visitors. According to BBC, the mayor joked, “So he’s got the keys, he can do whatever he wants in the next 72 hours. The city belongs to Prince William. I’m still the king, but it will belong to him!” The moment was capped off with selfies and friendly exchanges with tourists, adding a personal touch to the royal visit.
But the heart of William’s journey lies in his environmental mission. The Prince’s trip is centered around the prestigious Earthshot Prize, an annual award he established in 2020 to honor innovators tackling the planet’s most pressing challenges. This year’s ceremony, held on November 5 at Rio’s Museum of Tomorrow, marks the halfway point of the 10-year initiative. As reported by BBC and PEOPLE, the prize awards £1 million (about $1.3 million) each to five winners whose groundbreaking projects range from upcycling skyscrapers in Sydney to filtering microplastics from washing machines in Bristol, and even transforming the entire island of Barbados.
William’s commitment to the environment is deeply personal. Speaking with HELLO! magazine, he explained, “As a father, I think constantly about the world my children will inherit. I want them to grow up surrounded by nature, opportunity, and a sense of hope about the future.” He added, “Urgent optimism is the heartbeat of The Earthshot Prize. It’s the belief that although the challenges we face are immense, the solutions are within reach, and we must act with speed and conviction to bring them to life.”
Throughout his visit, William has gone beyond speeches and ceremonies, actively engaging with local communities and environmental organizations. On his first day, he visited Copacabana Beach, where he met with Rio de Janeiro’s Military Fire Brigade, the team responsible for the beach’s lifeguard services. According to PEOPLE, he observed a sea rescue drill and spoke with young participants of Project Botinho—a free summer program that educates around 5,000 children aged 7 to 17 on ocean safety, drowning prevention, first aid, and environmental conservation. The prince’s involvement highlighted the importance of equipping the next generation with the knowledge and skills to protect both themselves and their environment.
The day’s activities didn’t end there. William, known for his past as an air ambulance helicopter pilot, joined children from the Levante Institute—a school run by Brazilian Olympian Carolina Solberg—for a spirited game of beach volleyball. The Levante Institute aims to transform the lives of disadvantaged youth through sport, and William’s participation was met with enthusiasm. Ricardo Calcado, co-founder of the Terra Football Club campaign, told PEOPLE, “Our kids loved it, and Prince William was extremely delighted and asked many questions and interacted with the kids. It was beautiful. His aura and his energy show he’s really got a purpose. It was a very special moment for us.”
Earlier that day, William paid homage to Brazil’s footballing heritage with a visit to the legendary Maracanã Stadium. There, he was greeted by football icon Cafú, who presented him with a signed Brazil shirt and joined him in leading training drills for local children. The prince didn’t shy away from the action, participating in a unique exercise where players balanced cups of water while playing—intended to improve balance—and even stepped up to take a penalty kick against 14-year-old goalkeeper Pedro Enrique. As BBC recounted, Pedro admitted, “I didn’t let him score. It was a good penalty.” The stadium visit underscored William’s passion for football and his role as Patron of the English Football Association, while also serving as a platform to promote environmental awareness through the Terra Football Club initiative.
Beyond the beaches and stadiums, William’s itinerary includes a significant appearance at COP30 in Belem, deep in the Amazon rainforest. This marks the prince’s first international trip for a COP summit, following in the footsteps of his father, King Charles, who has long been a prominent voice at such climate meetings. The annual COP gathering brings together world leaders to discuss strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change—a cause that resonates deeply with William’s vision for the Earthshot Prize and his broader environmental advocacy.
The choice of Brazil as the host nation for this year’s Earthshot Prize is no accident. As PEOPLE highlights, Brazil is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet, home to half of the Amazon rainforest and a vibrant network of innovators and indigenous communities leading the fight against climate change. By bringing the awards to Rio, William aims to shine a spotlight on both the region’s unique challenges and its extraordinary potential for environmental leadership.
Notably absent from this trip is Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, who remained in the UK. William’s focus on environmental causes, however, remains inspired by his family. He has often cited his children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—as his motivation for championing a sustainable future.
William’s visit also carries symbolic weight within the context of the British monarchy. According to BBC, this is his most significant royal engagement of 2025 and marks his first major public representation of the Royal Family following recent controversies involving his uncle, Prince Andrew. While speculation has surrounded William’s involvement in the King’s decision to sanction Andrew, sources close to the situation have clarified that the decision was ultimately made by King Charles, in consultation with his advisers and the government.
As the Earthshot Prize ceremony approaches, anticipation is building not just for the awards themselves, but for the message of hope and action that William brings to the global stage. With celebrities like Cafú, Kylie Minogue, and Shawn Mendes joining the festivities, and with the eyes of the world on Rio, the prince’s efforts to inspire urgent optimism and practical solutions for the planet are resonating far beyond Brazil’s borders.
From the sands of Copacabana to the heights of Sugarloaf and the depths of the Amazon, Prince William’s Brazilian journey is a testament to the power of leadership, community, and a shared vision for a cleaner, safer, and more hopeful world.
