Prince William meets young environmentalists and plays rugby on first day of South Africa visit

Associated Press

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Britain’s Prince William offered words of encouragement to a group of young environmentalists and later joined a rugby practice at a local school as he opened his visit to South Africa. The Prince of Wales began four days of engagements in Cape Town on Monday. The trip will see his annual Earthshot Prize award $1.2 million in grants to five organizations for innovative environmental ideas. The awards ceremony will take place in a 470-foot-long reusable dome. The 42-year-old heir to the throne will also attend a global wildlife summit, spend time at a sea rescue institute and highlight other environmental issues close to his heart, including the work of conservation rangers.