Prince William issues update on Kate's health and shares rare insight into children's lives

Prince William has expressed his hope that his three children will be 'proud' of his Earthshot Prize awards, which aim to save the planet. The Prince is set to award million-pound prizes to the winners in Cape Town tonight.

He also paid a heartfelt tribute to his wife Kate, who recently completed eight months of chemotherapy treatment for cancer, stating: "She's been amazing this whole year". The future king believes that the awards embody optimism as the planet enters a critical phase.

On Wednesday, he met with the 15 finalists of his global environmental awards at the stunning Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, located at the base of the iconic Table Mountain, assuring them "we are here for you". He praised their planet-saving solutions, which will be showcased to millions during a dazzling ceremony tonight in Cape Town, broadcast live on YouTube for the first time.

He revealed that he has involved his children in becoming more aware of our role in saving the planet. In an interview with British media, William expressed his love for Africa and gratitude to South Africans for their "exuberance and energy" in hosting the fourth annual awards.

He spoke of his intention to focus on the next generation - particularly Gen-Z - and mentioned that he is teaching his children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, five, the basics of environmentalism, reports the Mirror.

He commented: "You know, every family tries to do what they can to sort of help with the environment. We go through all the basics of recycling and making sure we minimise water use and turning off lights when we leave the house and stuff like that, and making sure, which is sensible in what we do around the environment. And I think every family has these conversations. You just try to do what you can."

On the scope of Earthshot, offering five £1million prizes over a decade for planet-saving solutions, he added: "The Earthshot Prize has got to be a bit more global than that. We are trying to do big scale ambition and big scale business to tackle some of the solutions."

"But I brought the children along that journey and tonight I hope they are watching and they are proud of kind of what we are try to do here, which is to really galvanise that energy that enthusiasm to make real impact."

Sharing his personal connection during his Cape Town visit, William has been noticed wearing a handmade bracelet, a present from his daughter. Discussing its origins, he revealed: "Well, this is a this is a, I think, a relic, if you like, from a Taylor Swift concert that my daughter decided that she wanted to create a bracelet for. She gave it to me when I came away. So I promised that I would wear it and try not to lose it while I was out here."

Paying tribute to his wife, the Princess of Wales, who has stepped back from public duties since the beginning of the year due to hospitalisation following abdominal surgery and a cancer diagnosis, William expressed that she's likely tuning in with great interest from their Windsor residence. Speaking on her condition, he remarked: "She's doing really well thanks. And hopefully she is watching tonight, so cheering me on. She's been amazing this whole year. I know she will be really keen to see tonight be a success."

As he gears up for a significant night launching the Earthshot Prize Awards in Africa for the first time, he extended gratitude towards his hosts for the warm welcome they've shown this week, adding: "I've been greatly looking forward to the time I can bring Earthshot to Africa. I love this continent."

"And spent many a year looking around exploring it. And just really thrilled to have the reception of the exuberance and energy that's going to be in this room tonight around Earthshot in South Africa."

Further elaborating on his hopes for the awards ceremony, William conveyed his strong belief in the awards reflecting optimism at a pivotal moment for the planet, saying: "I think everyone wants some hope and wants some optimism. I think the Earthshot encompasses urgent optimism. That's what we're here for. And as I think you will see tonight, the amount of youth from Africa who'll be in here.

"They'll be letting you know and letting everyone know that it matters to them. And without them, you know, the future is looking pretty bleak. So these are the game changers. These are the innovators. These are the inventors that are going to make the world a better place for us in the future."