In a rare instance of royal duty dividing the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William attended the esteemed Earthshot Prize Awards in Singapore without his wife, Kate Middleton. The Duchess's absence, as Prince William explained, was due to her commitment to their children's educational needs, particularly aiding Prince George with his school examinations.
As the royal family balances their public responsibilities with private life, the Prince of Wales illuminated the reasons behind his solo trip during his speech at the United for Wildlife summit. "Catherine is very sorry she can't be here. She is helping George through his first set of major exams," he expressed, shedding light on the importance the couple places on their children's upbringing.
The significance of the Duchess's presence at the Earthshot Prize Awards, which she has graced since its inception, was underscored by her deliberate choice to prioritize family. The Kensington Palace spokesperson had previously confirmed her stay in the UK would coincide with the young prince's testing period, marking her first absence from the event since 2021.
Prince William, who launched the Earthshot Prize two years prior, reminisced about his previous visit to Singapore with the Duchess in 2012 during Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, recalling it as "memorable." His current visit included a stop at the Jewel, Singapore's nature-themed landmark, featuring the HSBC Rain Vortex, the tallest indoor waterfall in the world, which is set amidst lush greenery.
The Prince's engagements also encompassed a spirited dragon boat race, a cultural sport that he highlighted for its community-building spirit. In a shared video, he applauded, "Great to see the power of sport in bringing communities together."
The Earthshot Prize Awards, held on Tuesday, saw an assembly of notable figures in attendance alongside Prince William. The illustrious list included Cate Blanchett, an Earthshot Prize Council Member, young actress Lana Condor, and conservationist Robert Irwin. Actors Sterling K. Brown and Hannah Waddingham had the honors of hosting the ceremony.
This year's Earthshot Prize Awards spotlights environmental innovation, a cause close to the Prince's heart, as he stated in his statement on X, "Singapore's bold vision to be a leader for environmental innovation sets the standard for others to follow."
