Prince William slams billionaire space race

He’s known for being diplomatic – but the Duke of Cambridge didn’t hold back when discussing these high-profile figures in a BBC interview.

Prince William has criticised the frenzy of space tourism shortly amid Star Trek actor William Shatner’s highly-publicised journey to space.

The Duke of Cambridge was speaking to the BBC about his initiative to “repair our planet” and encouraged billionaires to get their heads out of the clouds.

“We need some of the world’s greatest brains and minds fixed on trying to repair this planet, not trying to find the next place to go and live,” the prince said.

The Duke of Cambridge isn’t impressed by recent space ventures. Picture: Chris Jackson/Pool/AFP

Shatner’s journey to space was the latest flight by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin venture.

The Amazon boss is competing with Sir Richard Branson and Tesla’s Elon Musk to turn the great beyond into a lucrative industry.

Shatner flew into space on October 13. Picture: Mario Tama/Getty Images

The prince said it was “quite crucial to be focusing on this [planet] rather than giving up and heading out into space to try and think of solutions for the future.”

William also mentioned “climate anxiety” among the new generations who believe their “futures are basically threatened the whole time.”

“It’s very unnerving and it’s very, you know, anxiety-making,” he said.

The foundation supported by Prince William and wife Kate Middleton will award the Earthshot Prize to five individuals who can help solve the ongoing crisis of climate change.

Shatner’s foray into space on Wednesday hoisted him and the crew more than 96 kilometres above Earth. The capsule spent about three minutes in zero gravity above the Karman Line — the internationally recognised boundary of outer space — before heading back to Earth.

The 90-year-old Shatner — who played the starship Enterprise’s Capt. James T. Kirk in the science fiction saga — joins Branson, Musk, and tourists who shelled out millions of dollars to reach the sky’s limit.

Although Branson is knighted and Captain Kirk “boldly” made the quest, the final frontier should not expect a royal visit anytime soon.

William said he had “absolutely no interest” in making the trek and questioned the carbon footprint of the pricey flight.

This article originally appeared in the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.