Prince William, like his father, prioritizes the environment

Prince William became heir apparent less than three months ago, but he has already been crowned Britain’s chief environmentalist.

On a three-day trip to Boston with Kate, the Princess of Wales, William is drawing praise for his efforts to draw attention to pollution and climate change and the need to scale up solutions to address them. Those efforts will culminate Friday evening, when the five winners of the royal couple’s Earthshot Prize for environmental innovators will be announced.

“I just appreciate that they are using platform and publicity to bring attention to meaningful climate work,” said Joe Christo, managing director of Stone Living Lab, which researches nature-based approaches to climate adaptation and was among those who met the royal couple at Boston Harbor on Thursday.

“I do know his dad is a big environmentalist,” he said. “He seems to be doing a great job continuing that legacy.”

The Earthshot Prize offers 1 million pounds ($1.2 million U.S.) in prize money to each of the winners of five separate categories: nature protection, clean air, ocean revival, waste elimination and climate change.

The winners and all 15 finalists also receive help in expanding their projects to meet global demand.

The winners will be announced at Boston’s MGM Music Hall as part of a glitzy show headlined by Billie Eilish, Annie Lennox, Ellie Goulding, and Chloe x Halle. The show will also feature videos narrated by naturalist David Attenborough and actor Cate Blanchett.

Before attending the ceremony for the Earthshot Prize, the royal couple will visit the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library and Museum. U.S. President Joe Biden, who will also be in Boston on Friday, plans to greet the couple there.

I do know his dad is a big environmentalist. He seems to be doing a great job continuing that legacy.

JOE CHRISTO MANAGING DIRECTOR OF STONE LIVING LAB