Prince William, Kate Middleton meet with world leaders at COP26

Kate Middleton and Prince William were all smiles as they led a royal reception with world leaders at COP26.

Prince William and Kate Middleton led a royal reception as they met with world leaders at COP26 in Scotland this evening, local time.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge dazzled in co-ordinating blue outfits as they stepped out to host a reception for the Earthshot Prize Awards in Glasgow.

The royals spoke with guests as key members of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, and the winners and finalists of the first Earthshot Prize Awards, at the Clydeside Distillery.

The couple were all smiles at the event. At one stage, Kate, 39, was seen attempting to give dead larvae – which is used as livestock feed – to her husband William, 39. His face says it all.

The Duchess of Cambridge offers a tub of dead larvae to her husband the Prince William at the Clydeside Distillery. Picture: Daniel Leal-Olivas// Getty Images

Kate and Will appeared in high spirits as they chatted with guests. Picture: Daniel Leal-Olivas/Getty Images

Prince Charles, Camilla, and Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson also attended the event, which was part of the broader COP26 talks.

At the event, the guests all paused to watch and listen to the Queen’s speech as she addressed the world leaders.

Her Majesty recorded the poignant words at Windsor Castle as she was not able to attend the event in Glasgow on doctors’ orders.

She said she “couldn’t be more proud” of her son Prince Charles and grandson Prince William in their climate crisis fight – but Prince Harry was notably missed from her praise.

Kate wore a tailored, royal blue cocktail dress. Picture: Daniel Leal-Olivas/Getty Images

The Queen, 95, also paid touching tribute to her late husband Prince Philip’s decades-long climate fight, a spirit which she said now lives on in Charles and William.

“It is a source of great pride to me that the leading role my husband played in encouraging people to protect our fragile planet, lives on through the work of our eldest son Charles and his eldest son William,” the Queen said.

“I could not be more proud of them.”

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Picture: Alberto Pezzali/AFP

The monarch said it was fitting for the COP26 talks to be taking place in Glasgow, as it was once the heartland of Britain’s industrial revolution.

She paid homage to those who have enthusiastically taken on the climate crisis in their own lives, including the younger generation.

It comes after Buckingham Palace announced this week that the Queen will only be undertaking “light, desk-based duties” as she recovers from illness.

Wearing a green dress and butterfly broach, she instead spoke to the summit via video link recorded at Windsor Castle.

Addressing the world leaders via video, Her Majesty added: “In the coming days, the world has the chance to join in the shared objective of creating a safer, stabler future for our people and for the planet on which we depend.

“None of us underestimates the challenges ahead.

“But history has shown that when nations come together in common cause, there is always room for hope.

“Working side-by-side, we have the ability to solve the most insurmountable problems and to triumph over the greatest of adversities.”

Kate and Will, among guests at the event, paused to watch the Queen’s address. Picture: Alberto Pezzali/Getty Images

The nonpartisan Queen also urged the leaders to “rise above the politics of the moment” and ”achieve true statesmanship” when addressing the climate crisis.

She ended her speech telling the world leaders that “the time for words has now moved to the time for action”.

“Of course, the benefits of such actions will not be there to enjoy for all of us here today.

“But we are doing this not for ourselves but for our children and our children’s children, and those who will follow in their footsteps.

“And so, I wish you every good fortune in this significant endeavour.”

Charles and Sir David also gave rousing speeches to the leaders at the opening session of the summit, moving some in the room to tears.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Prince William, Kate Middleton meet with world leaders at COP26