The Prince of Wales has shared how “Africa has always held a special place in my heart” hours before the week-long Earthshot Prize ceremony is set to begin in South Africa.

In a statement, William said that a visit to Namibia in 2018 inspired him to create the Earthshot Prize, making him realise “the power of how innovative, positive solutions to environmental problems could drive transformative change for humans and nature.”

Now in its fourth year, the Earthshot Prize ceremony will take place following a week of engagements, in South Africa. Previous iterations have taken place in the United Kingdom (2021), Boston (2022) and Singapore (2023).

William said: “This week we’ll travel to South Africa to spotlight our next cohort of 15 Finalists and have the opportunity to join partners from across Africa to celebrate the inspiring approach to environmental innovation that is taking place across the continent.”

He continued, writing that he hopes that by the end of the week more investors will be willing to support African solutions to climate change and to inspire “young people across Africa who are engaged in climate issues. I firmly believe that if we come together with collective ambition and urgency, we can reshape the future of our planet.”

The Earthshot Prize has a week-long series of events that kicks off Monday in Cape Town.