Prince William's First Visit to Rio Highlights Environmental Commitment Ahead of COP30
Prince William's first official visit to Rio de Janeiro emphasizes environmental activism and cultural engagement ahead of the COP30 climate summit.
- • Prince William visited Rio in November 2025 ahead of COP30, attending the Earthshot Prize ceremony awarding £1 million to environmental projects.
- • He received the keys to Rio from Mayor Eduardo Paes and discussed local social and security issues.
- • William visited Maracanã stadium, played football with children, and received a jersey from former Brazil captain Cafu.
- • The Earthshot Prize ceremony featured global celebrities and precedes William's speech at COP30 in Belém on behalf of the UK government.
Key details
Prince William, heir to the British throne, visited Rio de Janeiro on November 3, 2025, embarking on his first official trip to Brazil and focusing on an environmental agenda in advance of the COP30 climate summit. His visit included attending the Earthshot Prize ceremony, which awards £1 million annually to innovative environmental projects. The ceremony, planned for November 5, attracted prominent international celebrities such as Anitta, Kylie Minogue, and Shawn Mendes.
During his stay, William was honored with the keys to the city by Rio's Mayor Eduardo Paes, who jokingly remarked, 'The king of Rio is still me, but he will be very welcome here, sharing the throne with me during these days.' The prince undertook a cable car ride to Pão de Açúcar and engaged in discussions with Paes about local challenges, including security and the social disparities between favelas and affluent neighborhoods, noting recent violence in the city.
William's tour also featured a cultural highlight at the Maracanã stadium, where he received a jersey from Cafu, the captain of Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning team, and participated in a football match with local children, scoring a penalty. Following Rio, the prince is scheduled to travel to Belém to deliver a speech at the COP30 summit representing the UK government.
This visit continues the royal family's historical connection to Brazil, with previous visits by Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, King Charles III, and Prince Harry. William's focus on environmental issues aligns with Brazil's critical role in global climate discussions as host of COP30.