“THIS UNEXPECTED ROYAL MEET-UP IS GETTING PEOPLE TALKING…”
The Prince of Wales spoke at the London forum alongside the world-famous actor and actress
The Prince of Wales met Emma Watson and Benedict Cumberbatch at the Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife initiative this afternoon.
Prince William, who attended the event, which works to stamp out the illegal trade in wildlife, was joined on stage by the actor and actress, as they discussed their environmental work.
The forum marks the launch of London Climate Action Week, during which Prince William will also attend the Earthshot Prize impact assembly.
The future king told the crowd that his sustainability work has so far kept his “environmental anxiety at bay because I can actually see some of the things we are doing are bringing change.”
He also encouraged executives to be “more courageous” in tackling the illegal wildlife trade.
While speaking with Ms Watson and Mr Cumberbatch on stage, the prince said: “So much of what we’re going to talk about this morning is not necessarily about having a passion for nature, having a passion for the environment.
“This is stuff that will make your businesses stronger, better, more resilient, and also protect your reputation, long term.”\
The Prince of Wales met Emma Watson and Benedict Cumberbatch at the Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife initiative
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Ms Watson, who is a doctor of philosophy student at the University of Oxford, also said: “The fashion industry… actually creates more emissions than aviation, as the second most polluting industry after oil.
“But as someone who actually loves fashion, and it’s such a huge part of what I do, what’s exciting is that this is a huge place where we can actually have impact.”
Meanwhile, Mr Cumberbatch, who has previously made a documentary with environmental production group Open Planet, added: “It’s time to make people in this room and beyond it, people that you’re helping in your business, to believe that you can have agency in a time where the problems and the obstacles seem absolutely insurmountable.”
The Prince of Wales joined Emma Watson and Benedict Cumberbatch on stage
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Lord William Hague, who serves as co-chair of United for Wildlife, also addressed the gathering alongside former US vice president Al Gore.
William told Mr Gore he has had some “sweaty nights” worrying about the climate, and questions that have particularly worried him include: “What are we going to do, and how is it going to work?”
Tech giants Google, Meta, Amazon, TikTok, Pinterest, eBay and Etsy were among the companies participating in the event.
Telecommunications providers are also stepping up their commitment at the forum. Vodafone, together with Vodacom and Safaricom, will announce plans to deploy AI technology to combat money laundering and scrutinise financial transactions linked to wildlife crime.
The forum marks the launch of London Climate Action Week, during which Prince William will also attend the Earthshot Prize impact assembly
| GETTY
The United for Wildlife campaign was founded by William and the Royal Foundation in 2013.
It aims centre around preventing the illegal wildlife trade and its links to wider environmental crime.
The prince also established the Earthshot Prize in 2020 as a global environmental competition recognising individuals and organisations developing solutions to restore the planet.
CRE: https://www.gbnews.com/royal/prince-william-rubs-shoulders-emma-watson-benedict-cumberbatch