Prince of Wales: 'We don't have to give up the things we like in order to save the planet'
By Hannah Furness
The Prince of Wales has said the public should not have to give up the things they enjoy in order to save the planet, arguing: "It's about doing it in a slightly different way."
The Prince, who insists he does not want to "preach" to people about the environment, said it is important for him to be "careful" about "telling people 'don't do this or don't do that'".
He said it was essential to "find solutions" to environmental problems, using the example of creating trainers without plastic in them as an easy and practical swap for people to make.
Watch the video above.
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Prince William and Hannah Waddingham played a game of darts together while discussing the Earthshot Prize. YouTube/The Earthshot Prize
William insisted he does not want to 'preach' about the environment. YouTube/The Earthshot Prize
During an interview with Hannah Waddingham to promote a new documentary about the work of his Earthshot Prize, he was filmed drinking cider and playing darts as he answered a series of questions about its work.
At Alexandra Palace, London, where the Earthshot Prize ceremony was held four years ago, Waddingham joked that the Prince should not "embarrass himself" with his darts skills.
Asking him about the rationale behind the prize, which awards £1 million (approx. $2 million) to five winners each year to help them scale up their pioneering inventions to solve environmental issues, the Prince said: "It's not about giving up the things we want to [do], we don't have to sacrifice that.
"It's about doing it in a slightly different way that doesn't damage what we care about."
He added: "[I want to] celebrate talent and solutions, rather than telling people 'don't do this or don't do that'.
"You've got to be so careful, because there's been a lot of that.
"I don't want to preach, I want to find solutions."
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The Prince pointed to his own plastic-free trainers, which are made from natural fibres, as an example of a simple change to improve the environment without altering anyone's lifestyle.
Asked how he came to the Earthshot concept, the Prince said: "It took a long time.
"I wasn't sure how to create and galvanise action and the element of trying to stay positive about it rather than negative was important.
"So that's where the award ceremony idea came from.
"You just keep pushing the boundaries and hoping we'll make a difference."
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Waddingham, an actress and supporter of the Earthshot Prize, welcomed the Prince to Alexandra Palace, telling him that it was hosting the World Darts Championship and suggesting they "cause some mischief".
The short film shows the pair ordering two ciders and trying their hand at darts, with Waddingham firing questions including "what on Earth is your obsession with seaweed about?" to the Prince as they play.
"Right now the focus [of the prize] is highlighting, showcasing, scaling all the amazing solutions that are out there, and investing in them," said the Prince.
"See them, support them and use them. Then we will make the Earth more sustainable and better for us all going forwards."
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The interview finished with the Prince missing the dart board, the dart clattering to the floor, joking that he wanted the film crew to "cut!"
As the pair left, taking a final sip of cider, Prince William joked: "Don't let's start a drinking game. We'll be here all day doing that as well."
The Earthshot Prize is now halfway through its ten-year cycle. The Prince recently gave interviews about it in Cape Town, where he also revealed the extent of the "brutal" year for the British royal family.
The Prince is expected to travel to South America for next year's instalment.
The Earthshot Report, a new documentary, will air on December 15.
© Telegraph Media Group Limited 2024
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