Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall watched on as Prince William called on his own generation to take responsibility for protecting the natural world in a powerful speech, warning that the loss of wildlife and biodiversity must not happen “on our watch”.
The Prince of Wales made the appeal during a keynote speech at the Tusk Conservation Awards in London this evening, where he praised frontline conservationists working across Africa and urged global leaders to accelerate support for locally driven environmental projects.
His cousin, Zara, and her rugby legend husband, Mike, were in the audience and appeared extremely focused during the Prince of Wales's speech.
Also present at the Tusk Awards were Lady Eliza Spencer and Lady Amelia Spencer, nieces of the late Princess Diana, and therefore William's maternal first cousins.
In one of the strongest lines of his address, the father of three said: “If we all want to continue to enjoy and benefit from the wonders of the natural world, we must not be the generation that stands by as wildlife and biodiversity disappears.”
He added: “What we choose to do will have an impact on future generations, and tonight we must choose to do more.”
The awards, now in their 13th year, celebrated three leading conservationists whose work spans national parks, local communities and some of the most dangerous frontline environments in Africa.
William told guests the winners had shown “personal sacrifice and a life-long dedication” to protecting wildlife despite facing “insurmountable challenges”.
Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall watch on as Prince William issues warning to his generation in powerful speech
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Zara Tindall watching Prince William make his speech
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He said his recent visit to Brazil for The Earthshot Prize and COP30 had reinforced “a sense of urgency”, adding that global progress becomes possible “when we unite behind a shared purpose”.
The Prince highlighted the growing threat to the Congo Basin rainforest, describing it as a critical ecosystem facing pressures similar to the Amazon.
He praised indigenous communities and local conservation leaders for providing “the practical solutions” needed to protect fragile landscapes.
William paid tribute to this year’s winners, Laban, Rahima and Kumara, calling them “wonderful examples” of what can be achieved when conservation is led locally.
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Mike Tindall pictured at the glitzy event
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Lady Eliza Spencer and Lady Amelia Spencer supporting their cousin, Prince William
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He credited Tusk with championing that approach for more than three decades, investing in over 250 projects across Africa and supporting efforts to protect more than 60 species.
He also used the speech to highlight the extreme risks faced by wildlife rangers. Each year, the charity honours rangers killed in the line of duty.
William said he was “deeply moved” by their sacrifice and called the bravery of those who continue the work “truly humbling”.
The Prince noted that Tusk has raised more than $24million (£18million) for ranger programmes in the past five years, and said he was proud to have launched the Ranger Welfare and Standards Initiative last year.
The Prince of Wales greets Rahima Njaidi as he arrives for the Tusk Conservation Awards
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His Royal Highness met with key supporters and ambassadors of Tusk as well as the award winners
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More than 6,000 rangers have already joined a new insurance scheme aimed at improving welfare and security, with a further 1,500 in the pipeline.
As he closed the ceremony, William urged continued global support for conservation leaders, saying their insight and expertise “should inspire us to drive change”.
“Humanity thrives when nature is given the space to provide us with the clean air, water and food that we all require,” he said.
“Congratulations again to the Award Winners. You give us all optimism for the future of our planet.”