The renowned Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro will be illuminated in green this week to mark the occasion of Prince William’s international Earthshot Awards.
Prince William has arrived in Brazil for a three-day event celebrating the nominees and winners of his prestigious environmental initiative, which is being held in Latin America for the first time. The Earthshot Prize will conclude with an awards ceremony at Rio’s modern Museum of Tomorrow, where five recipients will each be granted £1 million to further develop their innovative ideas for preserving the planet.
Following a challenging period for the royal family, notably dealing with the alleged sex abuse scandal involving former Prince Andrew, Prince William aims to redirect focus to his Brazilian tour. The tour will conclude with a visit to the COP climate summit in Belem, known as the ‘gateway to the Amazon.’
Earthshot, conceptualized by William in 2020, offers £1 million awards in five distinct categories. The initiative recently marked the midpoint of its decade-long global project, with activities taking place across various countries worldwide.
Inspired by U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 “Moonshot” speech, which urged Americans to reach the moon by the end of the decade, William’s vision with Earthshot is to expedite environmental innovation to combat issues like climate change, ocean plastic pollution, and wildlife habitat loss by 2030.
Chosen from a pool of nearly 2,500 nominees representing 72 countries, the 2025 Earthshot Prize finalists showcase exceptional climate leadership. The upcoming ceremony is anticipated to reach a broad audience of 34 million viewers in Brazil and the UK, with broadcasts on the BBC and Globo, marking the largest viewership in the prize’s history.
As the Prince of Wales embarks on his journey to Rio de Janeiro, he expressed enthusiasm for experiencing Brazil’s rich culture, diverse biodiversity, and the warmth of its people. Highlighting the significance of Brazil’s role in climate leadership, hosting the Earthshot Prize serves as a platform to acknowledge and draw inspiration from those driving positive change for a sustainable future.
During his visit, Prince William will include a stop at the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue as part of the local itinerary. Jason Knauf, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, highlighted the global network of climate leaders that has been established over the past five years, emphasizing the community’s dedication to advancing solutions for pressing challenges.
Simultaneously, it has been confirmed that the Prince and Princess of Wales have relocated to their permanent residence, Forest Lodge, with their children. The move signifies a fresh start for the family, coinciding with Kate’s recovery from illness, as William prepares for his solo trip to Rio for the annual Earthshot Prize Awards.