Prince William's sweet nod to his kids during South Africa trip for Earthshot Prize

Prince William has been keeping his children close to his heart during his South Africa trip for the Earthshot Prize.

Royal fans spotted the Prince of Wales wearing a blue, green and white friendship bracelet on his right wrist. The letters on it spell "PAPA" in black and white beads.

It is understood the bracelet was made by Princess Charlotte, nine.

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Prince William took his two eldest children Prince George, 11, and Princess Charlotte to see Taylor Swift Era's tour in the UK in June.

Taylor Swift fans who embraced making friendship bracelets owing to here song You're on Your Own, Kid from the album Midnights, which mentions friendship bracelets in the lyrics.

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It isn't known when Princess Charlotte gifted this to her dad.

Prince William has stayed close to his three children including Prince Louis, six, for majority of 2024 since the Princess of Wales underwent "planned abdominal surgery" in January, which resulted in a discovery of cancer.

Prince William is in South Africa for a four-day visit this week ahead of the Earthshot Prize Gala this week.

The Prince of Wales has been joined by Robert Irwin, an ambassador for the Earthshot Prize.

He is also one of the judges of the prize.

Prince William, 40, has spent the week visiting with more than 120 young leaders at the Earthshop Prize Climate Leaders Youth Program with Earthshot CEO Hannah Jones on November 4.

Later in the day the royal played rugby at Ocean View Secondary School.

His "PAPA" bracelet was visible at both of these visits, and also on November 5 when he took an early morning stroll beneath South Africa's iconic Table Mountain with Irwin.

The Earthshot Prize Awards Gala takes place on November 6.

Prince William filmed a video with Irwin during their South Africa trip and Irwin asked the Prince of Wales a question the royal said his children ask him.

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"I have to ask – we're in South Africa, one of the most amazing countries and continents for wildlife – do you have a favourite African animal?" Irwin asked before acknowledging "it's a tough question".

"It's a really tough question," Prince William agreed.

"And my children ask me this regularly. I think I'm gonna have to say the cheetah. I love cheetahs, fantastic animals."

Prince William will return home to the UK following the Earthshot Prize Awards Gala.

The Princess of Wales remains in the UK where she is busy preparing her annual Christmas carols concert at Westminster Abbey scheduled for December.

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