Prince William takes the lead at Brazil climate summit in King Charles’ absence
From hugging babies to speaking Portuguese, Prince William’s groundbreaking Brazilian tour has captured hearts as he delivered his first speech on behalf of King Charles.
Prince William has delivered his first speech on behalf of King Charles, calling for urgent climate action while receiving an enthusiastic welcome across Brazil.
The Prince of Wales, 43, made his first address on behalf of the King, 76, and the UK government calling for action to halt the climate crisis.
Joining global politicians and heads of state at the World Leaders Summit, which is part of the COP30 talks in Belém, Brazil, the future king opened his speech in Portuguese, saying: “Bom Dia! Muito obrigado Presidente Lula e Governador Barbalho pelas calorosas boas vindas a Belem do Para.” (“Good morning! Many thanks to President Lula and Governor Barbalho for the warm welcome to Belém do Para.”)
He then said that the task had fallen on this generation to protect the natural world for their children and grandchildren.
“Our children and grandchildren will stand on the shoulders of our collective action. Let us use these inspiring surroundings here in the heart of the Amazon to rise to meet this moment, not with hesitation, but with courage,” he said.
“Not with division, but with collaboration. Not with delay, but with decisive commitment.”
“Let us honour the leadership of those who have long protected the planet — Indigenous Peoples and local communities — and walk forward together,” he continued.
“Let us build a future where nature is valued, and where every child inherits a world of prosperity, not peril. Let us rise to this moment with the clarity that history demands of us. Let us be the generation that turned the tide — not for applause, but for the quiet gratitude of those yet to be born.”
“Our children and grandchildren are watching, and hoping,” he said.
William invoked the “disastrous impact of simultaneous floods, fires and droughts in Brazil” two years ago.
He drew parallels with the UK, recalling how, during a visit to the Welsh town of Pontypridd with Princess Catherine in February, he met community who were “still recovering from devastating floods. I met families who had lost their homes, their possession and their sense of security.”
“One resident told me how the river that once brought life to the town had become a source of fear. Their resilience is deeply moving,” he said.
While the speech was written in collaboration with the British government, William imparted his own philosophy.
“I have long believed in the power of urgent optimism.
“The conviction that, even in the face of daunting challenges, we have the ingenuity and determination to make a difference, and to do so now.”
Representing his father King Charles, whose shoes he is gradually stepping into, the Prince of Wales praised his father’s long-standing commitment to environmentalism and sustainability.
“I grew up with my father the King talking about the power of nature and the importance of harmony in the natural world. A subject he has championed for over five decades. It is a privilege to also represent him here today, as well as everyone else who has championed this cause, for so many years,” he said.
KYLIE MINOGUE DAZZLES WILLIAM ON THE GREEN CARPET
Prince William rubbed shoulders with Australian pop royalty during his three-day trip to Brazil.
The future king posed with Kylie Minogue and Canadian singer Shawn Mendez ahead of the fifth annual Earthshot Prize Awards in Rio de Janeiro.
The prestigious event, founded by William, recognises climate leadership and global problem-solving – with five winners each winning $2 million for their projects.
The trio arrived on the green carpet at Museum of Tomorrow, where a trimmer-looking William looked dapper in a Tom Ford tuxedo.
Kylie, 57, looked stunning in a beige tulle mini dress with circular leather cut-outs and a pair of fancy gold heels.
William was also spotted with Britain Prime Minister Keir Starmer and posed with Brazilian singers Anitta and Seu Jorge.
Earlier, William paid a quiet tribute to his mother Diana while visiting the Christ the Redeemer statue.
The Prince of Wales recreated photos taken of his mother during her visit in 1991 when she visited with her then husband Charles.
A spokesman from Kensington Palace told the media pack William was touched by how many locals remember his mum’s trip.
“The Prince has loved meeting so many people from across Rio over the last few days. He’s been incredibly struck by the number of people who fondly remember his mother’s visit to this beautiful city,” the spokesman said.
He also posed with the Earthshot Prize finalists including Fred Holt, who is responsible for the Quay Quarter Tower redesign in Sydney.
Prince William stood beside Mr Holt, an American who is married to an Australian and now calls Sydney home, for a photograph below the towering statue.
Speaking in a video posted from the awards, which recognise projects which seek to “repair the planet” Mr Holt explained how the success of upcycling and retrofitting Quay Quarter Tower instead of simply demolishing it and starting from scratch could pave the way for a new wave of environmentally friendly architecture.
“What makes me optimistic is right now we have the tools, the ideas and the collective care to actually change our industry for the better,” the principal and partner of the Sydney location of Danish firm 3XN said.
The Australian architecture project retained 65 per cent of the original structure, thereby saving an impressive 12,000 tonnes of carbon.
Much like William’s environmental mission in Brazil, Diana’s trip was also focused on doing good.
She visited an orphanage in Sao Paulo and toured hospitals where she met patients fighting cancer and HIV.
PRINCE WILLIAM – KING OF THE KIDS
Prince William’s dad mode activated when an enthusiastic grandmother handed him her baby boy in Brazil.
The royal was visiting the small island of Paquetá in Guanabara Bay which, despite only having a population of 3500, saw the locals turn out in vast numbers to greet him.
After being given over by his grandmother Cristina, 10-month-old Joaquin didn’t mind one bit and appeared to enjoy his brush with royalty as the crowd oohed and.
Little Joaquin’s cousin Andre Luis Junior told People magazine the family was honoured the prince paid him special attention.
“Nobody asked him – he just picked him up! It’s probably because he has three kids. He loves kids,” Mr Junior, a local teacher, said.
The way she handed him her baby😂😂😂
— Canellecitadelle (@Canellelabelle) November 4, 2025
The Brazilian public has truly turned in to welcome him and such a diverse crowd: young, old, men, Women..etcðŸ˜
Prince William is truly belovedâ¤ï¸#PrinceofWalespic.twitter.com/NnMDWeLlZv
“It’s amazing. We are so happy, so happy he chose this very small island. We’re very unique in the heart of Rio. Very quiet.
“We love that he chose to come here. The kids in school were so excited today.”
After travelling to the island via naval boat, Prince William met with members of the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation who educated him about the mangroves and growing in the coastal saltwater areas of Brazil and their importance to the ecosystem.
The prince helped plant native vegetation and took a tour of the Guapimirim mangrove area in Guanabara Bay.
The royal listened intently as he was told about the ongoing conservation works being undertaken along the fragile coastline.
In a private meeting before the summit, the Prince of Wales smiled as he was gifted an indigenous vest indigenous leader Vanda Witoto, Indigenous community leader from Witoto tribe, before the United for Wildlife Forum.
He also spoke with Kleber Karipuna, one of the Executive Coordinators of the Articulation of the Indigenous Peoples of Brazil, before delivering his speech.
Speaking on behalf of Britain, the royal said: “Our task here today is clear – we must put a stop to the criminal networks driving environmental crime and destruction.
“We must stand alongside those who, every day, are standing up and defending nature.
“We must recognise and celebrate these protectors, not just in words but through our actions. “And we must act together.”
The Prince was also joined US actor Leonardo DiCaprio who delivered a prerecorded message who urged world leaders to crack down on harmful industries.
BRAZIL GOES WILD FOR WILLS
Prince William has been hugged and mobbed by royal fans following his first engagement in Brazil, just days after former prince Andrew was booted out of Royal Lodge.
The fevered reception in Rio de Janeiro came during William’s first trip to the South American country to stage his Earthshot Prize environmental awards and attend the Cop30 UN climate change summit.
Sydney’s Quay Quarter Tower, the world’s first fully upcycled skyscraper, is a finalist in the awards.
On the first day of his visit, the Prince visited the world famous Copacabana Beach, and joined in the fun by playing a bit of volleyball.
He played for about 10 minutes alongside children from the Levante Institute, a school run by Brazilian Olympian Carolina Solberg which aims to transform the lives of disadvantaged children through sport.
Solberg told People magazine Prince William had “a lot of energy” and was a formidable player.
“He’s tall. He can hit, he can,” she said. “I think he could be really good if he practices more.
“He’s such a gentle [person] and showed kindness with everyone.”
Earlier in the day, the Prince of Wales was welcomed to Rio de Janeiro with the keys to the city, which he received from Mayor Eduardo Paes, who shouted in Portuguese to the watching crowds, “Viva Rio”.
The ceremonial keys to Rio are traditionally handed to the carnival king to officially launch the famous Rio carnival festivities.
William took the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain to the vantage point popular with tourists, where he had a view of the metropolis and the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.
As he made his way to depart, the heir to the throne was mobbed by wellwishers who had gathered to see him.
He was seen shaking hands and taking selfies with the cheering crowds. As one fan posed for a selfie, she placed her hands on the future king’s back and shoulders in a caressing motion.
One royal fan wrote on X: “The crowds came out for Prince William in Rio, Brazil! With one lady enjoying William’s broad shoulders.”
The Crowds came out for Prince William in Rio, Brazil! With one lady enjoying William’s broad shoulders. 🤣 #Earthshotpic.twitter.com/0xaCHoQl2R
— Prince & Princess of Wales Fan (@HRHCatherine) November 3, 2025
Another added: “Oh my! So jealous of the handsy lady.”
The Prince of Wales also visited the world-famous Maracana stadium, where the Brazilian national soccer team plays its games.
The royal and legendary Brazilian soccer star Cafu participated in soccer drills with local children before William stepped up to take part in a penalty kick contest.
Showing he has inherited his late mother Princess Diana’s compassionate side, the royal was seen hugging one of the children in a sweet moment.
Speaking about his motivation for the environmental awards, Prince William told Hello! magazine: “As a father, I think constantly about the world my children will inherit.
“I want them to grow up surrounded by nature, opportunity and a sense of hope about the future. But I also know that unless we act boldly now, that future is at risk.
“The Earthshot Prize is about turning the tide, about proving to our children that we are willing to fight for their tomorrow.”
Police last week increased security ahead of the future king’s arrival in Rio following the city’s bloody “day of terror”.
At least 64 people, including four police officers, were killed last week, and 80 suspects were arrested in the blitz to stop the feared gang, known as Comando Vermelho in Brazil, from expanding its operations.
Prince William’s visit comes amid a time of turmoil for the royal family after his disgraced uncle Andrew was stripped of his titles and kicked out of Royal Lodge over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
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Originally published as Prince William takes the lead at Brazil climate summit in King Charles’ absence
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