Prince William sends warm greetings to Earthshot Prize finalists

The Prince of Wales, William, was deep in conversation with the finalists of the 2022 Earthshot Prize this afternoon at a retreat in Windsor, wishing them great pleasure. 

The 41-year-old met with the innovators  for the first time at the Earthshot Prize Fellowship Retreat in Cumberland Lodge at Windsor Great Park, which is part of the Earthshot Prize's Fellowship Programme.

Father of three looked comfortable in a sharp suit, warming himself up with a blue jumper, as he chatted to each the finalists from this year's awards which took place in Boston in December and asked how he could help them achieve their goals.

He then followed a morning visit to a foodbank in Windsor, where he and the Princess of Wales met with staff and helped out sorting donated food products into categories.

William looked totally engrossed in a chat with the finalists about their innovative projects to help combat climate change. 

The Prince spoke to Min Wang, whose company, Desert Agricultural Transformation, turns desert sand into agricultural land.

She invited William to visit one of her project's sites in China.

He said: 'If I am passing by I will be visiting all of your projects. I have made a note to my team.'

He added: 'So by year 10 I will still be visiting Earthshot projects.'

He then met Charlot Magayi, whose company Mukuru makes clean and reliable cook stoves for low-income households in western Kenya. Her business focuses on providing families with clean stoves that are less likely to expose them to harmful air pollution in their own homes. William then particularly extended his heartfelt congratulations. 

"Congratulations,' he said. 'The last time I saw you you were surrounded by children. Your story is unbelievable."

Speaking to the PA news agency afterwards, Ms Magayi said: "I started my business in 2017 because my daughter got burned by a traditional stove."