LONDON, Feb 9, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Prince William's annual Earthshot prize,

which supports solutions to the planet's biggest problems such as climate
change, will be awarded in Cape Town later this year, organisers announced
Friday.

The initiative -- in its fourth year -- will hold five days of events in
November, including the yearly awards ceremony, in the South African city.

Previous host cities include Singapore last year, Boston in 2022 and London
in 2021.

The Singapore ceremony saw five eventual winners given one million pounds
($1.3 million) each. The same sum will go to this year's five winners.

November's prize events will "celebrate the groundbreaking work of fifteen
global environmental solutions", organisers said.

"The nominations to The Earthshot Prize remind us that human ingenuity, grit
and determination can turn the seemingly impossible into the new normal," the
initiative's CEO Hannah Jones said.

Prince William, who has attended the previous three Earthshot Prize events,
has in recent weeks been hit by royal family health woes.

His father, King Charles III, announced a shock cancer diagnosis on Monday,
for which he has commenced treatment and postponed public-facing duties.

Meanwhile his wife, Catherine, underwent abdominal surgery last month and is
expected to spend months recovering at home.