:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(748x180:750x182)/prince-william-princess-diana-christ-the-redeemer-statue-110525-2-06abb549e1124545b9f1018fbbb40dfa.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1 "Prince William follows in Princess Diana’s footsteps in Rio")
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- During his third day in Brazil, Prince William followed in the footsteps of his late mother, Princess Diana, by posing for photos in front of Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.
- Diana’s visit was part of her royal tour of Brazil in April 1991 with her then-husband Prince Charles, as King Charles was known at the time.
- A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed that William was “incredibly struck by how many people fondly remembered his mother’s visit” to Rio during his time in the city.
Prince William is following in the footsteps of his late mother, Princess Diana.
During the third day of his royal visit to Rio de Janeiro, William, 43, headed to the magnificent Christ the Redeemer statue above the oceanside city. The moment echoes his mother standing in the same spot 34 years before, during her visit to Brazil in 1991, accompanied by Prince Charles, as King Charles was then known.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed that the moment had been special for William. “The Prince has loved meeting so many people from Rio over the past few days. He has been incredibly struck by the number of people who fondly remember his mother’s visit to this beautiful city,” they said.
The moment came when William met his Earthshot Prize finalists before the awards ceremony that evening.
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William spoke to the 15 finalists about their experience of the Earthshot Prize Finalists Program and their ambitions ahead of the awards ceremony. All award nominees participated in a year-long finalists program, receiving mentoring, international exposure, pro bono legal support and strategic communications advice to help them accelerate progress and maximize impact.
Tonight, winners will be announced in five categories: protecting and restoring nature, cleaning our air, reviving our oceans, building a world without waste and repairing our climate. A $1.3 million prize is awarded annually to the winner of each category to support innovative solutions to environmental challenges.
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Guests at the ceremony also included Kylie Minogue, Shawn Mendes and Brazilian soccer star Cafú.
Prince William’s exciting trip to Brazil also included playing beach volleyball on Copacabana Beach, scoring a soccer goal at Maracanã Stadium and planting mangroves.
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During his second day in Brazil, the prince also received a surprise message from Oscar-winning actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio.
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The Prince of Wales was joined by the actor via video message at the United for Wildlife Summit, an organization that fights the illegal trade in wild animal parts and endangered species.
In his message on Tuesday, November 4, DiCaprio, 50, told executives at the meeting that now is the time to act. “Nature is our most powerful solution,” he said in the video, also posted on his Instagram page.
“I urge world leaders to come together with courage and ambition because the world depends on it,” added the star.
Chris Jackson/Getty
William also gave a speech at the event, ahead of his Earthshot Prize, which he said will “honor some of the most inspiring people and provide solutions to our planet’s biggest challenges.”
“Our task here today is clear: we must put an end to the criminal networks that lead to crime and environmental destruction. We must stand with those who, every day, stand up and defend nature. We must recognize and celebrate these protectors, not just in words but through our actions. And we must act together,” he said.
