Final preparations are now being made for Prince William and Kate’s trip to Boston for the Earthshot Award – their first overseas trip since becoming Prince and Princess of Wales. The couple will be publicly welcomed to Boston on Wednesday, Nov. 30, and will spend three days making commitments related to the Earthshot Award — which takes place Friday night — as well as touring the city.
A royal aide stressed that the couple do not see this visit as a traditional royal tour, but an Earthshot-focused trip. However, the source said, they are eager to spend time in Boston meeting the local community and seeing climate change work being done in the area. “Their visit will see them attend a special event with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, as well as a visit by the Prince to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum with Ambassador Caroline Kennedy,” Kensington Palace said in a statement. “Recognizing the significant challenges facing the coastal city of Boston as a result of climate change, the Prince and Princess will see firsthand the work local organizations are doing to mitigate the risk of sea level rise.” Kate will also see early childhood work being done at Harvard University’s Center for Child Development.
The visit will begin on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 30, at Boston City Hall, where they will be welcomed to the city by Mayor Michelle Wu and Ambassador Caroline Kennedy. To mark the start of Earthshot, City Hall and other Boston landmarks will be lit green. The next day, they will learn about climate innovation at Greentown Labs in Somerville before traveling to Chelsea to meet with a non-profit organization that helps at-risk youth aged 16-24.
On Friday, December 2, Kate will see the work of the Center for the Developing Child at Harvard University, while William will visit the JKF Library and Museum. The journey will culminate with the Earthshot Awards Friday night at MGM Music Hall in Fenway.
A source said the couple’s focus for the trip is Earthshot and they won’t be distracted by other things – perhaps a reference to the fact that their trip is a reminder that Prince Harry and Meghan have made their home since retiring from US. royal life in the midst of a very public dispute. The Sussexes are expected to stay away from the Earthshot award ceremony, but William and Kate will be joined by a host of famous faces including Sir David Attenborough, Billie Eilish, Annie Lennox and Ellie Goulding. The event will be presented by Clara Amfo and Daniel Dad Kim. As she did at last year’s ceremony in London, Kate will present an award.
Tonight there will be five winners from the 15 previously announced finalists. Each winner will receive £1m to scale their innovation.
The ceremony is being recorded on Friday night but will be broadcast on Sunday 4 December on the BBC’s YouTube channel and the Earthshot Prize. In the US, the broadcast will begin at 2 pm EST Monday, December 5 on PBS.org and the PBS app and at 8 pm EST on the PBS YouTube channel.
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