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Nov 2, 2025

Prince William departs London for Brazil ahead of Earthshot Prize and COP30 engagements

Prince William departs London for Brazil ahead of Earthshot Prize and COP30 engagements
Kensington Palace confirmed via the Court Circular that the Prince of Wales left Heathrow on the afternoon of 2 November 2025 for Rio de Janeiro, embarking on his first official visit to Brazil. His agenda includes presiding over the Earthshot Prize awards on 5 November at the Museum of Tomorrow, community outreach on Copacabana Beach and a keynote address at the COP30 Leaders’ Summit in Belém on 6 November.

The royal visit underscores growing UK-Brazil climate cooperation. British diplomats will use the trip to promote the £80 million UK–Brazil Green Finance Partnership launched earlier this year and to finalise an MoU on rainforest satellite monitoring. For event organisers, the Prince’s delegation of 45 aides and media staff adds to the logistical challenge of moving thousands of high-profile guests between Rio and Belém during one of Brazil’s busiest holiday weeks.

Prince William departs London for Brazil ahead of Earthshot Prize and COP30 engagements


Mobility implications: Brazil’s Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) has approved 12 VIP flight slots at Rio-Galeão and Belém for state and charter aircraft between 2–8 November; carriers operating these movements must submit passenger manifests 24 hours in advance. Ground-handling firms in Belém report a 300 % spike in requests for executive-jet parking, while São Paulo hotels have seen a knock-on effect as entourages reposition.

Security protocols will temporarily close parts of Rio’s Linha Vermelha expressway when the royal convoy transits from Galeão Airport to the city centre, potentially delaying commercial traffic. Corporate mobility managers with staff in Rio are advised to monitor local advisories and book alternative routes where possible.

Soft-power payoff: The Prince’s high-profile backing for Brazil’s COP30 hosting bid could encourage UK multinationals to expand Amazon-aligned sustainability projects, ranging from reforestation offsets to green hydrogen pilots in Pará.
Prince William departs London for Brazil ahead of Earthshot Prize and COP30 engagements
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