MUMBAI: The Prince and Princess of Wales are set to arrive in India on Monday for a three-day visit, during which they will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, the British High Commission said, according to ANI. Prince William and Princess Kate will begin their visit in Mumbai, where they will attend the 2026 Earthshot Prize ceremony, and will take part in engagements focused on climate action, sustainability, innovation and youth leadership.
Source: ANI via Indian Economic Observer
Reuters reported that Kate will undertake her biggest foreign trip since having treatment for cancer when she joins William in India for the Earthshot Prize awards this week. The heir to the throne, William, 44, and Kate are flying out for a series of events across Mumbai during the three-day visit, which includes Tuesday's awards ceremony. Kate, also 44, had preventative chemotherapy for an unspecified form of cancer in 2024 and is now in remission, Reuters said.
Source: Reuters via 97.9 WEVE
In Mumbai, the couple will learn about India's work in sustainable transport, clean energy, responsible manufacturing and environmental protection, and their programme will also cover the cultural ties between India and the UK, including cricket, fashion and cinema, ANI reported. Reuters said the royals will be joined at the awards ceremony by Indian cricket great Sachin Tendulkar, actors Alia Bhatt and Rami Malek, and British pop group Take That, who will give their first-ever performance in India.
Acting British High Commissioner to India Ben Mellor said the visit would strengthen the relationship between the two countries. 'I am delighted to welcome Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales back to India. When our Prime Ministers met in Mumbai last year, they spoke of building a modern partnership focused on the future. That ambition is increasingly delivering real results through our shared Vision 2035 and growing cooperation across technology, investment, clean energy, education and security,' he said, as per the High Commission release cited by ANI. Harjinder Kang, His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for South Asia, said the couple were coming after the UK and India signed a Free Trade Agreement.
The Earthshot Prize, founded by Prince William in 2020, recognises solutions to major environmental problems including climate change, air pollution, waste, ocean conservation and biodiversity loss; five winners are selected each year and each receives £1 million. India has produced more Earthshot Prize winners and finalists than any other country, and this year's ceremony is expected to be the biggest edition so far. It will also mark Kate's return to the Earthshot ceremony for the first time since 2022, when it was held in Boston. The couple will later travel to New Delhi, where they are scheduled to meet Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday; a Kensington Palace spokesperson told Reuters the meeting reflected the importance of the bilateral relationship in areas such as defence and technology.