Prince William received a warm and enthusiastic welcome as he arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, marking the beginning of his highly anticipated trip to Brazil for the 2025 Earthshot Prize Awards.
The Prince of Wales touched down in the vibrant city on a commercial flight and made his way to the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain, where he was honored with the symbolic keys to Rio de Janeiro — a rare gesture traditionally reserved for the King of the city’s world-famous Carnival.
The moment highlighted the enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and Brazil, as locals gathered to greet the royal visitor.
In photos shared on the official Instagram page of The Prince and Princess of Wales, William appeared cheerful and relaxed as he waved to well-wishers from the mountain’s peak.
“Honoured to receive the keys to the city at the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro ahead of an exciting few days for The Earthshot Prize and United for Wildlife. Thank you for the warm welcome, Mayor,” read a message shared by Kensington Palace.
Upon arrival, the Prince was greeted by Rio’s Mayor Eduardo Paes, First Lady Cristine de Souza Assed Paes, and their daughter, Isabela. Vice Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere and his wife, Victoria de Araujo Cavaliere, were also present at the ceremony.
William looked effortlessly stylish in navy trousers paired with a crisp shirt and blazer as he admired the stunning views of the mountainous city from the helipad.
Mayor Paes presented the future king with the ceremonial key as crowds cheered from below. “Viva Rio!” the mayor exclaimed, capturing the joyful spirit of the day.
Earlier, a vibrant video was shared on the royal couple’s Instagram, captioned “Brazil Day,” offering a glimpse into William’s first day in the South American nation.
The Prince is set to spend three days in Rio de Janeiro for the Earthshot Prize Summit, which will conclude with a glittering awards ceremony at the Museum of Tomorrow on Wednesday, November 5.
Following the event, William will travel north to Belém, the gateway to the Amazon, where he will deliver a keynote address at the COP30 Summit, representing both King Charles III and the UK Government.
His visit underscores the royal family’s commitment to global environmental efforts and the Prince’s ongoing dedication to tackling climate change through innovation and international collaboration.
