Prince William.Photo: Yui Mok/Getty
Prince Williamwill not be traveling to New York City this month as planned.
The Prince of Wales, 40, will no longer be attending the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit on September 21 following the death of his grandmother,Queen Elizabeth. The gathering falls during the time of mourning that’s continuing for seven days past the monarch’s funeral on September 19.
On September 8, Buckingham Palace announced the long-reigning monarch died “peacefully” died at age 96 at her beloved Balmoral Castle.
William was set to address the guests alongside former New York City mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who works to help scale and replicate the Earthshot solutions as Global Advisor to the winners of the Earthshot Prize. The royal heir’sattendanceat the September summit was first announced in August.
Ian Vogler - Pool/Getty
Plans are still likely in motion to host the Earthshot Prize ceremony in Boston in December. Earlier this summer, Prince Williamrevealedthe historic Massachusetts capital would be the site of the second annual global environmental awards. He and wife Kate Middleton wereexpected to attend.
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Sharing the exciting news in an AugustTwittervideo, the future King said, “In 2022, we’re back and bringing Earthshot to the USA where we’ll award the next five winners of the Prize.”
The clip then cut to Red Sox All-Star Xander Bogaerts from the home of the iconic baseball team at Fenway Park.
“And we will be doing it right here in Boston,” Bogaerts said from the outfield.
Fittingly, the announcement that the second awards ceremony will be held in Boston came on the anniversary of the moon landing. The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation serves as host partner, alongside Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston.
During their trip to Boston,Prince Williamand Kate were also set to spotlight the “inspiring” city for its work on addressing the impacts of climate change and building a resilient future, the senior royals said in a statement.
Prince William.Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty
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The Prince and Princess of Wales werelast in the U.S.nearly a decade ago, visiting New York in 2014.
The couple’s first joint visit to America came shortly after their royal wedding in 2011 when they headed to Los Angeles.
The Earthshot Prize recentlybecame an independent charityapart from the couple’s Royal Foundation, with William taking on the role of president.
“The urgency of the situation can’t be overstated,” the prince exclusivelytold PEOPLEfollowing the inauguralEarthshot Prize ceremonyin London in October 2021. “But through the Earthshot Prize, I want to show people across the world why there is reason to be hopeful.”
source: people.com
