The Prince of Wales, Prince William made an impassioned plea at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) in Monaco. He stressed that the moment is critical for protecting our oceans. The two-day capital-influencing event convened highly influential leaders from Fiji to Florida to focus on sustainable practices that protect our marine environments. Prince William’s participation is a clear demonstration of his personal commitment to safeguarding the environment, especially the ocean.
From the moment Prince William stepped onto the venue, he cut a memorable figure. He strolled down a blue carpet meant to evoke the ocean — one of the major themes of this year’s gathering. To deliver this important speech, he donned his signature navy suit. His choice of sustainable and recycled Wilmok ties further showcased his dedication to sustainability. Prior to taking the COP stage, he had been taking meetings with some of the world’s most important leaders, like Costa Rica’s President Rodrigo Chaves Robles.
In his speech, Prince William opened with a warm greeting in French, stating: “Hello. It’s a pleasure to be with you today to discuss an important topic that is close to my heart.” He underscored the significance of collective action in protecting marine environments, saying, “We come together today united by our deep connection to the ocean and our concern for its safety.”
Prince William quoted renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough, emphasizing the intrinsic link between the ocean and global well-being: “If we save the sea, we save our world.” His comments were a timely reiteration of an increasingly ubiquitous call for greater cooperation among countries to tackle our most urgent environmental problems.
The Prince began and concluded his speech in French, a gesture that highlighted his respect for the local culture and his efforts to connect with the audience. His closing remarks included: “Thank you again for having me here today. Now it’s time to take action. Have a great afternoon. Thank you.”
Following his speech, Prince William posed for photographs with key dignitaries, including Prince Albert II of Monaco, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and France’s President Emmanuel Macron. This final group photo acted as a powerful display of international solidarity to tackle the most pressing issues that our oceans face today.
Prince William’s own words at the event reflect very real hopes for something more. Together, Matthew believes that we can make historic progress protecting marine life. His Excellency, Ambassador H.E. His presence at the forum is a strong signal of his continued resolve to build engagement and action towards environmental sustainability.
