Britain’s Prince William arrives in Singapore for first time in 11 years to award Earthshot Prize

‘It’s fantastic to be back in Singapore for this year’s Earthshot Prize ceremony, after 11 years,’ he said upon landing at Changi Airport on Sunday

The awards support environmental innovators with solutions to battle climate change. Five winners will be named at an awards ceremony on Tuesday

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Prince William greets well-wishers as he arrives at Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore on Sunday, ahead of the third annual Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony. Photo: PA Wire / dpa

Published: 7:47am, 6 Nov 2023Updated: 9:05am, 6 Nov 2023

Britain’s Prince William arrived in Singapore on Sunday for the annual Earthshot Prize awards, the first to be held in Asia, to support environmental innovators with solutions to battle climate change and save the planet.

Upon his arrival, dozens of people waving British flags welcomed him with loud cheers. William, 41, shook hands, signed autographs and sportingly took selfies with many of them during a walkabout.

Britain’s Prince William and Sim Ann, senior minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Development, watch the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, the Rain Vortex, at Changi Airport in Singapore on Sunday. Photo: PA Wire / dpa

“It’s fantastic to be back in Singapore for this year’s Earthshot Prize ceremony, after 11 years,” William said in a statement upon landing. “Singapore’s bold vision to be a leader for environmental innovation sets the standard for others to follow.”

“He has this charm,” said Johanes Mario, a Singaporean welcoming William at the airport. “He really fights for … the climate. I believe this is really a good cause for the future of our generation,” he added.

At Singapore’s Changi Airport and before greeting the crowd, the prince stood on an upper floor for a stunning view of the 40-metre high Rain Vortex, the world’s largest indoor waterfall that was illuminated green to mark his arrival. He was also shown a tree planted in his honour in the indoor garden at the foot of the waterfall.

The heir to the British throne last visited Singapore with his wife Princess Catherine in 2012. Travelling solo this time, William’s focus is on the Earthshot Prize that he and his Royal Foundation charity launched in 2020 to promote innovative solutions and technologies to combat global warming and mitigate its impact on the environment.