‘Honoured’: Robert Irwin joins the Prince in South Africa

Australia’s favourite conservationist and I’m A Celeb host took a walk with Prince William in Cape Town to celebrate the Earthshot Prize — and found out what the Prince’s favourite animal is.

Prince William has posed for selfies with fans and played a game of rugby with schoolkids as he began a four-day visit to South Africa.

The prince’s trip is set to focus on climate change and conservation initiatives, and will include meetings with young environmentalists and fishermen.

The highlight of his journey will be the Earthshot Prize awards ceremony, where $A1.8 million in grants will be awarded to five organisations for their innovative environmental solutions.

Prince William, Prince of Wales talks to Robert Irwin during his visit at Signal Hill on November 05, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The Prince was joined by conservationist and I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! host Robert Irwin, son of the late Steve Irwin and a global ambassador for the Earthshot Prize. The pair walked in a group through Signal Hill which is a scenic overlook above Cape Town.

Irwin posted a video to Instagram of him telling the Prince it was “lovely” to see him and asking how he was enjoying South Africa.

He asked which animal was the Prince’s favourite to which he replied, “I think I’m going to have to say the cheetah.”

Irwin captioned the post with: “A wonderful morning for a hike on the stunning Signal Hill, Cape Town, discussing the amazing conservation work happening here! I’m honoured to be part of the Earthshot Prize family, and can’t wait for the Awards tomorrow night.”

Prince William takes part in a rugby coaching session with local school children during a visit to Ocean View Secondary School in Cape Town, South Africa. Picture: Getty Images

In his first engagement the 42-year-old prince met with 120 young environmentalists from Africa and Asia who are taking part in a new programme for youth leaders that accompanies the prize.

Prince William is set to attend a global wildlife summit and spend time at a sea rescue institute during his stay in Cape Town.

This year’s Earthshot awards ceremony, which takes place on Wednesday night local time, will celebrate advancements in environmental innovation and raise awareness of critical conservation issues.

School children tackle the prince in a friendly game. Picture: Getty Images

During his visit, The Prince of Wales participated in events held in Cape Town as part of 'Earthshot Week'. Picture: Getty Images

He then went to a secondary school in the Ocean View township where he participated in a rugby coaching session with The Atlas Foundation, a charity working to address child poverty that was founded by former English rugby player Jason Leonard.

“Let’s tackle the prince!” several boys yelled gleefully as they grabbed him.

Retired South Africa World Cup winner Tendai Mtawarira, nicknamed “The Beast”, also took part in the coaching session.

Prince William during a rugby coaching session at a secondary school in the Ocean View township. Picture: Getty Images

Prince William launched the Earthshot Prize in 2020, inspired by a visit to Namibia.

Its name is a nod to former US President John F. Kennedy’s ambitious “moonshot” project which led to the 1969 lunar landing.

“By the end of the week, I want The Earthshot Prize to have provided a platform to all those innovators bringing about change for their communities, encouraged potential investors to speed African solutions to scale and inspired young people across Africa who are engaged in climate issues,” he said in a statement ahead of the visit.

Prince William appeared genuinely happy to be a part of the event. Picture: Getty Images

There were smiles all round for the the school visit. Picture: Getty Images

MEGHAN WARY OF UK RETURN

Meanwhile, Meghan Markle is said to be “incredibly nervous” about facing the royal family again, according to a royal insider.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly purchased a property in Portugal so the couple will have a European base for visits back to Britain.

However, Meghan is said to be wary of seeing Prince Harry’s UK family after years of tension.

“Following reports that she and Harry have recently purchased a property in Portugal, a source reveals that their new European home means that Meghan will be close enough to fly back to the UK and finally face the royals in what is likely to be an explosive showdown,” a source claimed to Closer magazine.

“The wounds Meghan suffered from her experiences in the Royal Family cut very deep.

“Since all the drama over her and Harry’s split from the Royal Family, she’s been incredibly nervous about facing them again. But she now accepts it’s got to be done.

“Meghan’s stance is that if Harry is going to go back and make a deal with the royals, she needs to be part of it as well. She wants to show them they can’t just trample all over her and then have Harry come back on his own, as though she can be tossed aside.”

It’s now nearly five years since the couple stepped back as senior working royals, and the Duchess of Sussex has only visited the UK twice during that time.

Meghan Markle is “incredibly nervous” about facing the Royal Family. Picture: Getty Images

The visits both took place in 2022, with one for the Queen’s Jubilee, and the second for her funeral.

Prince Harry, meanwhile, has undertaken four visits in 2024, with the most recent being in September for the WellChild Awards in London.

During the whistle stop visit he did not meet up with Prince William and King Charles, according to reports.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex rumoured luxurious property is located in Alentejo.

The couple – who live with their two kids in California – are said to have splashed out on the home in Portugal after being asked to vacate their former UK home Frogmore Cottage by King Charles two years ago.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly bought a home in Portugal AFP)

It is said to be close to Prince Harry’s cousin Princess Eugenie, Jack Brooksbank, August, two, and Ernest, five months, who are said to be splitting their time between living at the CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club and their life back in the UK.

This comes as Prince Harry has reportedly not been invited to spend Christmas at Sandringham with the rest of the royal family.

The Duke of Sussex last spent the festive period with his family six years ago, and has only done two with wife Meghan Markle.

Typically the royal family flock to Sandringham for the Christmas period and attend church together on Christmas Day.

Prince Harry and Meghan have spent a total of two Christmases together with the extended royal family for the traditional celebrations.

The first was in 2017 when they were an engaged couple, and the second was in 2018 following their royal wedding.

They spent Christmas privately in 2019 on Vancouver Island, just before they announced they were stepping down as senior royals in 2020.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly been extended an invite to spend Christmas with Harry’s uncle Charles Spencer at the Spence ancestral home, Althorp House.

However, they would be missing out on seeing their extended family.

Originally published as ‘Honoured’: Robert Irwin joins the Prince in South Africa