Prince William is kicking off the 2026 Earthshot Prize Impact Assembly with a surprise move.
After a successful panel discussion with Emma Watson and Benedict Cumberbatch at the Royal Foundation's United for Wildlife initiative, the next heir to the British throne arrives at the 2026 Earthshot Prize Impact Assembly in style.
Ditching the royal security, William – who turned 44 last week – took a surprise ride on an electric bus accompanied by the Earthshot Prize Ambassador, Robert Irwin, who is also an Australian conservationist and zookeeper.
The two arrived together at the historic Guildhall in central London, travelling by an electric bus.
What is 3000th zero-emission bus?
Notably, they travelled not on an ordinary bus, but on a London green transport revolution, a 3000th zero-emission electric bus, which had been specially decorated with Earthshot branding for the occasion.
During the prestigious event, William and Robert are joined by a group of young Londoners, and their conversations focus on current efforts to protect and restore the natural world.
Prince William's speech at Earthshot Prize Impact Assembly:
The future also delivered a powerful message to the assembled audience.
His Royal Highness said that he felt "more optimistic than ever" about the country's environmental action.
After kicking off the 2026 Climate Action Week yesterday, William highlighted the importance of Earth and the need to save the planet from pollution.
"Bogotá proves that air pollution can fall even as a city grows," the eldest son of King Charles III added.
The Prince of Wales praise India over Earth saving policies:
He also talked about Gujarat, India's clean air policy and told the crowd that it has now become a "blueprint for others."
The father of three, who announced earlier this year that the annual Earthshot Prize ceremony will take place in India, spoke about his intention to take the Earthshot to the South Asian country this year.
He revealed that the Indian nation is the "biggest country on Earth” and it has produced more Earthshot winners and finalists than any other country, the royal noted, adding that "solutions born there have the power to shape the world."
What we know about 2026 Earthshot Prize ceremony:
For those unfamiliar, the Earthshot Prize 2026 is the sixth cycle of the prestigious global environmental initiative, an awards ceremony established by Prince William, to recognise the efforts of philanthropists supporting the cause of saving the planet and Mother Nature from pollution.
However, this year's ceremony will take place in Mumbai, India, in November 2026, and will award £1 million (over $1.3 million) to five innovators for solutions repairing the planet.
It is unclear whether Robert Irwin will accompany him during India’s tour for the annual Earthshot Prize awards gala this year.
To note, Robert Irwin has served as an inaugural Global Ambassador for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize since his appointment in September 2024.
Robert Irwin's role in Earthshot Prize:
The son of the late wildlife expert, Steve Irwin, also participated in the Earthshot Prize ceremony in Singapore in 2023 and has been a vocal advocate for the initiative since its inception.
The Australian television star later joined South African actress and humanitarian Nomzamo Mbatha as one of the inaugural Earthshot Global Ambassadors, working to amplify the prize’s mission.
So far, the finalists of the Earthshot Prize awards ceremony will be announced in the fall this year, because the search and selection process operates on a rolling annual cycle.
Emma Watson, Benedict Cumberbatch appearance at Royal Foundation's United for Wildlife initiative:
This update came after William attended a special event alongside Emma Watson and Benedict Cumberbatch related to the Royal Foundation's United for Wildlife initiative.
He also shared an official statement after the panel talk, stating, "Today at the United for Wildlife Business Forum in London, HRH Prince William joined host June Sarpong OBE and actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Emma Watson for a conversation about the natural world and our shared responsibility to protect it."
United for Wildlife is another major charitable project of Prince William, which he launched in 2013, aimed at protecting endangered species and fighting the illegal wildlife trade.
