In just two weeks, Prince William will be heading to Rio de Janeiro for his fifth annual Earthshot Prize awards — and he’s bringing a star-studded lineup along for the ride.
The Prince of Wales announced that actor Matthew McConaughey and music icons Kylie Minogue and Shawn Mendes will take part in this year’s ceremony, happening on November 5. The event will celebrate a new group of innovators working on big ideas to help heal the planet.
McConaughey, who narrated the newly released Earthshot trailer, sets the tone for the night with his signature cinematic flair. “When the stakes are highest, that’s when heroes rise,” he says in the video, which highlights the 15 finalists competing for $1.3 million each to fund their environmental solutions.
Kylie Minogue is equally excited about joining the cause. “Brazil — I’m coming back,” she said in a statement. “It’s an honor to be part of the Earthshot Prize in Rio, standing alongside people and ideas that could save our planet.”
The show will also feature Brazilian music legend Gilberto Gil, who’s set to perform alongside pop star Anitta, and will be hosted by beloved Brazilian broadcaster Luciano Huck. Soccer legend Cafu will also make a special appearance.
“This year’s lineup is incredible,” said Jason Knauf, CEO of The Earthshot Prize. “We’re thrilled to have such amazing global artists and Brazilian talent joining us in Rio. It’s going to be the biggest Earthshot yet.”
Model and environmental advocate Gisele Bündchen has also joined the team as one of the judges this year, helping select the winners who are tackling challenges like climate change, plastic pollution, and deforestation.
Each Earthshot Prize honors innovations in five key areas:
- Protect and Restore Nature
- Clean Our Air
- Revive Our Oceans
- Build a Waste-Free World
- Fix Our Climate
Each winner receives funding and support to bring their ideas to life — ideas that could make a real difference in fighting the planet’s biggest problems.
Rio marks the halfway point in Prince William’s 10-year Earthshot mission. Previous ceremonies have taken place in London (2021), Boston (2022), Singapore (2023), and Cape Town (2024), where William was joined by stars like Heidi Klum, Billy Porter, and Robert Irwin.
This year, the Prince will arrive in Rio on November 3, attending several local events before heading to the UN climate conference in Belém the following day. His wife, Kate Middleton, won’t be attending this year’s ceremony.
The excitement is building — and with global stars, Brazilian icons, and a mission to save the planet, this year’s Earthshot Prize is shaping up to be something truly special. Photo by Mk20244, Wikimedia commons.