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Prince William has heralded the finalists of his prestigious Earthshot Prize awards as "the world ’s true action heroes" as he joined a star studded line up in Rio de Janeiro. The Prince of Wales praised the "dreamers and innovators" working tirelessly to help protect the planet from climate change and environmental destruction, so we can leave the world in a better place for the next generation. On the third day of his tour of Brazil, William celebrated the 15 finalists of his awards, now at the halfway point of a “decade of action” that he launched in 2020. The Earthshot Prize announced its five 2025 winners last night at a star-studded Awards Night at the iconic Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Awards were hosted by award-winning Brazilian broadcaster Luciano Huck. The night also featured performances from Brazilian queen of pop, Anitta, and global star Kylie Minogue. Speaking to a packed audience at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio, where William has been welcomed across the week from crowds across the city, the prince got a huge cheer as he started in Portuguese before hailing the efforts of the finalists. “When I founded The Earthshot Prize in 2020, we had a ten-year goal; to make this the decade in which we transformed our world for the better,” he said. “We set out to tackle environmental issues head on and make real, lasting changes that would protect life on Earth. It was a mission driven by the kind of extraordinary optimism we have felt here tonight, from these innovators. “Their work is the proof we need that progress is possible. Their stories are the inspiration that gives us courage. And there’s a great deal we can learn from their determination, their vision for scale, and their unyielding belief that we can create a better world.” William earlier in the day made an emotional personal pilgrimage to the iconic Christ the Redeemer monument in Rio, and recreated a stunning scenic picture his mother, Princess Diana , posed for during a tour of the country in 1991. Walking to the end of a platform at the base of the statue, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, William appeared emotional as he took in the breathtaking sights of Guanabara Bay, before turning to recreate his mother's picture. In the background was the world famous Sugarloaf mountain which was featured in the image of Diana taken 34 years ago when the future king was an eight-year-old schoolboy. At the monument, William spend time with each of the 15 finalists, chatting to British finalist Adam Root, founder and chief executive officer of Matter. Adam, whose incredible invention removes microplastics from washing machine water, was wowed when the prince said he said he would be using the new gadget. "An amazing idea, we'll pay full price," the prince said and Mr Root replied: "We can definitely do that." The entrepreneur from Essex, who has been nominated in the Revive Our Oceans category, developed the filter that collects the microplastics from clothes, at his mother-in-law's dining table, supported by a £250 grant from The King's Trust. The business started off creating filters for household washing machines and has since raised more than £15 million for its work and employs about 45 people. In his speech at the awards, William said it was heartening to see how the people of Brazil have passionately embraced the challenges we face to protect the national world. And he urged world leaders and communities around the world to join the fight to protect our planet for the next generation. “I understand that some might feel discouraged in these uncertain times,” he said. “I understand that there is still so much to be done. But this is no time for complacency, and the optimism I felt in 2020, remains ardent today. Because our finalists are a shining example of how we can build stronger economies, design healthier cities, and create better jobs for the next generation. “We can support the dreamers and innovators who work tirelessly to build a more sustainable world. We can protect our beautiful planet for all life that calls it home. The choices we make during this decade will define us… but more importantly, they will define the lives of young people. The future belongs to them. They are the ones who will inherit the planet we are fighting to protect. They are the ones who will continue to drive our momentum forwards.” The Earthshot Prize, announced its five 2025 Winners at the evening event, supported by a star-studded cast, hosted by award-winning Brazilian broadcaster Luciano Huck and featuring performances from Brazilian queen of pop, Anitta, and global star Kylie Minogue. The Winners, one in each of the five Earthshot categories, will be awarded £1 million to advance or replicate their work and in recognition of their achievement and potential. The 2025 Winners of The Earthshot Prize are: Protect and Restore Nature: re.green, Brazil; Clean Our Air: The city of Bogotá, Colombia ; Revive Our Oceans: The High Seas Treaty, Global; Build a Waste-Free World: Lagos Fashion Week, Nigeria; Fix Our Climate: Friendship, Bangladesh. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also joined William at the awards ceremony, before both men gather with world leaders at the global climate change summit today in the Amazonian city of Belem, described as “the gateway to the Amazon”. A Kensington Palace spokesperson, told the media travelling with William: "The prince has loved meeting so many people from across Rio over the last few days. He's been incredibly struck by the number of people who fondly remember his mother's visit to this beautiful city."
