CAPE TOWN, South Africa — On Tuesday morning, Prince William embarked on a nature walk near the iconic Table Mountain to shed light on the essential work performed by conservation rangers within this remarkable urban national park. The heir to the British throne took the opportunity to connect with some of the dedicated rangers responsible for safeguarding the Table Mountain National Park, which encompasses approximately 85 square miles (220 square kilometers) and extends into neighborhoods surrounding Cape Town.
Instead of venturing to the summit of the renowned flat-topped mountain, the prince leisurely explored trails on Signal Hill, which sits on the coast. Accompanying him were Megan Taplin, the park manager, and Robert Irwin, an Australian conservation advocate. During the walk, Prince William interacted with rangers, park firefighters, and members of a K-9 unit.
“He gained insight into their daily responsibilities and the challenges they encounter,” Taplin noted. “We discussed the well-being of rangers and emphasized the importance of ensuring they and their families receive adequate support, especially given the hazardous and demanding nature of their jobs.”
Prince William is in South Africa to advance his annual Earthshot Prize, which allocates $1.2 million in grants to five innovators or organizations dedicated to developing solutions for environmental issues and climate change. Established in 2020 through his Royal Foundation, the Earthshot Prize ceremony is taking place in Cape Town for the first time in Africa on Wednesday evening.
The prince’s four-day engagement represents a focused initiative on environmental matters and conservation efforts; however, he also took time on his first day in Cape Town to participate in a rugby practice at a local high school, engaging in South Africa’s beloved sport with local children.
On Tuesday, he is scheduled to meet with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the president’s residence in Cape Town. William has a variety of responsibilities planned during his visit to Africa’s second-largest city, including discussions with young environmental advocates, involvement in a wildlife summit, tours of a botanical garden, and interactions at a sea rescue institute as well as with a local fishing community.
Having last set foot in Africa in 2018, Prince William maintains a deep-rooted connection to the continent. He recalled visiting as a child following the tragic loss of his mother, Princess Diana, in a car accident in Paris in 1997. His engagement to Kate took place at a wildlife conservancy in Kenya in 2010, and the concept for the Earthshot awards was conceived during a visit to Namibia in 2018.
Before his arrival, William expressed that Africa has always held “a special place in my heart.” Last month, his brother, Prince Harry, visited South Africa and the neighboring country of Lesotho to support a charity focused on southern Africa.
William’s wife, Kate, the Princess of Wales, along with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, did not accompany him on this trip. Kate recently resumed her public duties after undergoing treatment for an undisclosed cancer diagnosis.