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Prince William recalls time he was recognised despite disguise
The heir to the throne is to deliver today his first speech since King Charles III created him Prince of Wales in the wake of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. William will head to the Science Museum in London to attend the UfW global summit, during which a number of speakers will announce new policies, unveil partnerships in a bid to end the lucrative trade and hear the success achieved by the UfW so far.
At the event, Prince William will deliver a keynote address, set to put the spotlight on the severe and organised nature of illegal wildlife crime and its damaging impact on global biodiversity and local communities.
The Prince of Wales is expected to say: “There are still too many criminals who believe they can act with impunity, too many lives being destroyed and too many species on the brink of extinction due to this heinous crime.”
He is also set to say the world no longer has the “luxury of time” to tackle the illegal trading of animal products.
Nevertheless, experts have the “roadmap and motivation” to solve the issue.
Prince William is the heir to the throne (Image: WIREIMAGE)
Prince William lanched the United for Wildlife in 2013 (Image: WIREIMAGE)
Prince William visited an elephant sanctuary in China in 2015 (Image: GETTY)
He will also say: “[United for Wildlife] set out to ensure that those involved in wildlife crime face an international response as powerful and coordinated as any other serious and organised crime.
“To bring their sinister operations out of the shadows and to ensure that communities are equipped, empowered and supported to protect themselves and their natural world.”
More than 300 global leaders from law enforcement agencies, conservation organisations and private sector companies who are part of the UfW network are expected to join Prince William today.
During the summit, Prince William and other attendees will also pay tribute to wildlife rangers who have been killed over the past few years while trying to protect endangered species from poachers.
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Prince William is a keen conservationist (Image: WIREIMAGE)
Among the victims is Anton Mzimba, who was killed in late July outside his home in South Africa for his work saving rhinos at Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
In the wake of his death, Prince William issued a personal statement, saying: “I’m deeply saddened to learn of the killing of Anton Mzimba who I spoke to in November.
“Committed and brave, rangers like Anton are central to the conservation of Africa’s fantastic wildlife.
“Those responsible must swiftly be brought to justice. My thoughts are with his family.”
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Prince William is a keen conservationist (Image: WIREIMAGE)
Prince William has been the patron of Tusk since 2005 (Image: GETTY)
Prince William has long campaigned to end the illegal wildlife trade.
In 2005 he became patron of Tusk Trust, which aims to amplify the impact of progressive conservation initiatives on the African continent.
One decade later, Prince William delivered a landmark speech during the final day of his tour of China condemning illegal wildlife trading.
He branded the business, estimated today to be worth up to $20million every year worldwide, a “vicious form of criminality” that “erodes the rule of law, fuels conflict and may even fund terrorism”.
The line of succession to the throne (Image: EXPRESS)
The appeal was delivered after he visited an elephant sanctuary in the southwestern province of Yunnan.
Most recently, he voiced his fears this illegal trading could bring to the extinction of rhinos and elephants among other species which, on the other hand, would like his three children to see.
The summit is being hosted by Lord Hague of Richmond, chairman of The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The Foundation was launched by Prince Harry and Prince William in 2009 to enable the brothers to take forward their charitable work.
Prince William and Kate visited Wales last week (Image: GETTY)
Following the princes’ marriages with Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, in 2011 and 2018 respectively, the Foundation included the work carried out by both couples.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex split from the Foundation in the spring of 2019, with the aim to launch their own.
Today, the Foundation is known as the Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, in line with Kate and William’s new titles passed on to them by King Charles on September 9.
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