Prince William gave a short remark on the first official event he and Kate Middleton had on their three-day trip to the United States. Ahead of the second annual Earthshot Prize Awards, which will occur on Friday, he revealed why Boston was the “obvious choice” of location.
People reported that the Prince and Princess of Wales started their first U.S. trip in eight years at Boston City Hall for the lighting ceremony to start the countdown to Friday’s event. During the engagement, the royal-born Prince, alongside Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Massachusetts Governor-elect Maura Healey, and Reverend Mariama White Hammond, gave a speech before the public.
The future King of the United Kingdom is said to have begun by stating that “there are two reasons why Boston was the obvious choice to be the home of the Earthshot Prize in its second year.”
Prince William first recalled in his remark that former President John F. Kennedy gave his “Moonshot” speech sixty years ago. He noted that it “laid down a challenge to American innovation and ingenuity,” adding the former leader then stated, “We choose to go to the moon” and “not because it is easy but because it is hard,” as per the magazine.
The Prince of Wales is said to have continued that the “Moonshot” speech was the one that inspired him to launch the Earthshot Prize “with the aim of doing the same for climate change as President Kennedy did for the space race.”
The royal subsequently noted, “And where better to hold this year’s Awards Ceremony than in President Kennedy’s hometown, in partnership with his daughter and the Foundation that continues his legacy,” as per the outlet.
As for the second reason, Prince William highlighted in his speech that the “universities, research centers, and vibrant start-up scene” in Boston make it a “global leader in science, innovation, and boundless ambition,” according to the quote included in People’s report, published Wednesday.
It is also noted that the Prince of Wales mentioned the city’s Mayor for her efforts in “putting climate policies at the heart of your Administration.”
In the end, the royal-born Prince stated that “like President Kennedy,” he and Kate Middleton “believe that we all have it in ourselves to achieve great things, and that human beings have the ability to lead, innovate, and problem-solve,” as per the magazine.
CNN noted in a report that hundreds of people were present at Speaker’s Corner outside City Hall to see Prince William and Kate Middleton. It also said fans and watchers cheered as the royal couple walked outside, adding that the crowd gathered despite the rain and temperature.
Elsewhere in its piece, published Wednesday, CNN recalled that the Prince of Wales founded the Earthshot Prize in 2020 in hopes of using the world’s smartest minds to find solutions to some of the most pressing concerns and issues in the environment.