Prince William appears on Graham Norton's Earthshot Prize special
Prince William took part in a special Earthshot Prize edition of The Graham Norton Show on BBC One. The episode also featured Cate Blanchett, Robert Irwin, and Hannah Waddingham, all connected to the prize. William discussed the award's origins, his support for Aston Villa, and his interest in Christopher Nolan's films.
The BBC One episode was an Earthshot Prize special: the host interviewed Blanchett, Irwin and Waddingham before revealing their shared link to the award. William then joined midway, becoming the first working royal to take part in a British talk show; Sarah Ferguson and Lady Glenconnor had previously appeared on the programme's red couch.
In conversation, William recalled launching the prize in 2020 and discussed Aston Villa and Christopher Nolan's films. He also argued global cooperation is essential, while Blanchett described the prize as a collection of solutions and Waddingham stressed support and connections for finalists. The award names five annual winners and highlights projects addressing emissions, ecosystems, waste and communities.
The appearance may broaden the Earthshot Prize's reach by placing its message within a mainstream entertainment format, potentially exposing environmental projects to viewers who might not follow royal or awards coverage. It could also soften perceptions of the royal family by showing a senior member in an informal setting. For finalists and partner organisations, the added visibility may help attract attention and investment, though the effect is likely modest and dependent on how audiences respond.