Prince William and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer shared a private conversation during their meeting at the Earthshot Prize ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Wednesday evening.

The Prince of Wales warmly greeted the Prime Minister, offering words of encouragement: “Hopefully you enjoy it,” he said before the two spoke quietly for several minutes ahead of the main event.

A Shared Commitment to the Planet

Both leaders were in Brazil for the Earthshot Prize awards, a global environmental initiative founded by Prince William. Each year, the prize awards £1 million to five winners who present innovative solutions to the world’s pressing environmental challenges.

Prince William created the Earthshot Prize to inspire “positive action” and long-term environmental change. Speaking at an event before the ceremony, he emphasized the importance of taking action rather than just talking about solutions.

“I think the Earthshot Prize is a classic example of change,” he said. “Rather than talk about it, we’re doing it—and that’s where I want to be.”

He also praised the finalists, describing them as “the true action heroes of our time,” and added, “Change will come by backing them, not by what I do. And so I want to surround myself with people who want to make change and do good in the world.”