We’ve heard much buzz recently that the Cambridges would soon be announcing their next big project – one that would carry them through the next decade. And now we know what it is – a new environmental mission called the Earthshot Prize, which I’m guessing is a play on “Moonshot,” a term I’ve heard a lot in 2019 what with the fiftieth anniversary of the moon landing in 1969.
William has long been interested in the environment, a passion he picked up honestly – it is one of Charles’ pet projects. Earthshot will define much of William’s public work for the next 10 years and will reward visionaries who innovate environmentally, awarding millions of dollars in prizes to five winners annually until at least 2030 – hopefully resulting in 50 solutions for our planet. Over 60 organizations and experts were consulted over the past year about this project, and the first award ceremony will take place in 2021.
“The earth is at a tipping point and we face a stark choice: Either we continue as we are and irreparably damage our planet or we remember our unique power as human beings and our continual ability to lead, innovate, and problem-solve,” William said in a statement. “Remember the awe-inspiring civilizations that we have built, the life-saving technology we have created, the fact that we have put a man on the moon. People can achieve great things. And the next 10 years presents us with one of our greatest tests: A decade of change to repair the earth.”
For her part, it is expected that Kate will likely announce her own initiative soon, focused around children.
That’s looking ahead to 2020, but who were the hardest working Royals in 2019? Usually Anne takes the top spot, but not this year. This year’s hardest working Royal is none other than Charles.
Charles clocked 521 engagements this year, but Anne wasn’t far behind – she had 506. Charles and Anne alone make up nearly one-third of the Family’s combined total of 3,567 engagements in 2019.
Here’s where everyone else fell:
· Edward: 308
· Her Majesty: 295
· Andrew: 274 (he is usually ranked higher, but missed the last bit of 2019 after he stepped down)
· William: 220
· Harry: 201
· Kate: 116
· Meghan: 83
Happy New Year to all – we’ll be back Thursday!