Prince William wrapped up a successful visit to Brazil. During his week-long trip, he led the discussion on urgent issues with local leaders, like Mayor Eduardo Paes. His three-day visit concluded with the formal handover of the keys to Rio de Janeiro. This beautiful, symbolic gesture serves to underscore the deep friendship that exists between the two nations in the year that they celebrate 200 years of diplomatic relations.
Prince William lands in Rio de Janeiro on a commercial flight. He then took a scenic cable car ride up to Sugarloaf Mountain, where the Mayor Paes, his wife Cristine, their daughter Isabela, and Vice Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere and his wife Victoria were waiting to warmly greet him. That striking location offered a perfect stage for discussions of the political and environmental issues confronting the dynamic city.
During their meeting, Prince William and Mayor Paes discussed various topics, including recent police raids on the city’s favelas and the broader security landscape. Mayor Paes expressed appreciation for how interested the Prince was in these topics.
“He seemed to be very interested in lots of things. We spoke about politics… my politics, talked about the landscape of Rio, he asked about the favelas,” – Mayor Eduardo Paes.
These topics were introduced to explain what are the main environmental issues in Rio, that are especially important to Rio. Mayor Paes emphasized the interconnectedness of the city with these issues, stating, “It’s a city that’s completely connected with environmental issues.”
In a glorious moment, Prince William was presented with the keys to Rio de Janeiro from Mayor Paes. This honor is usually reserved for only the most high-profile of guests and serves as a testament to the city’s warm welcome.
“So he’s got the keys; he can do whatever he wants in the next 72 hours,” – Mayor Paes.
His visit prompted celebration from local residents and tourists, who flooded the streets to welcome him. Throngs of residents and visitors alike couldn’t get enough of Prince William’s visit to the city. They scrambled to get their hands shook by him and get selfies with him.
Mayor Paes said he was charmed by the Prince’s swiftness to admire the beauty of Rio. He observed of the Prince that he was “very polite” and “astounded by the city’s beautiful landscapes.” It was therefore a great honor for Rio de Janeiro to be the host of such a distinguished figure, he said.
Prince William’s itinerary featured the Earthshot Prize Summit, a star-studded event looking to inspire new and innovative solutions to the world’s greatest environmental challenges. The peak of the summit was a thrilling awards ceremony at the beautiful Museum of Tomorrow on November 5. This gala was a celebration of innovative works focused on sustainability.
After concluding his visit to Rio de Janeiro, in the south of Brazil, Prince William then journeyed north to Belém— the gateway to the Amazon rainforest. There he presented the keynote speech at the Cop30 Summit as the King’s special envoy and representative of the UK Government. His participation at this summit is just one facet of a larger effort to combat some of the most urgent climate challenges.
Prince William is making tracks with his agenda down to Brazil. His thoughtful engagements with local leaders and citizens show us his serious dedication to addressing the biggest issues facing our planet and fostering friendships around the globe. This visit marks a new chapter in the deep, historical partnership between the UK and Brazil. Beyond that, it points to the urgent need for creative collaboration to tackle technological, environmental and social challenges.
