As Prince William prepares for his first trip to the US since 2014, his whirlwind three day visit is likely to be a far cry from his brother Prince Harry’s day-to-day existence in California.
The Prince of Wales will be joined by Kate Middleton for the whirlwind three day trip to Boston today, where they will showcase issues including climate change, vulnerable young people, and green tech during a number of royal engagements.
The finale of the trip will be the star-studded Earthshot Prize award ceremony on Friday, which will see A-list actors like Rami Malek and Catherine O’Hara present awards, while Billie Eilish and R&B duo Chloe x Halle will all perform.
The last time the pair visited the country was to New York in December 2014 when Kate was pregnant with Princess Charlotte. They previously visited California at the end of a tour to Canada in 2011.
As Prince William prepares for his first trip to the US since 2014, his whirlwind three day visit is likely to be a far cry from his brother Prince Harry’s day-to-day existence in California
Meanwhile Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are far more used to the glam and glitzy Hollywood lifestyle, living in their $14 million mansion in California and regularly brushing shoulders with stars like Oprah Winfrey.
Here FEMAIL reveals just how different life on US soil is between the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
POLITICAL PALS
Prince William and Kate Middleton
The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to meet President Joe Biden in Boston on Friday (pictured, Kate with Dr Jill Biden last year)
Meanwhile in November, Prince William and Kate previously met President Biden at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow last year (pictured)
The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to meet President Joe Biden in Boston on Friday, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed yesterday, as the White House and British officials work to finalize details.
Neither side will comment publicly.
But sources familiar with arrangements said the heir to the British throne and Biden are trying to make use of a scheduling quirk that puts them both in Boston on the same day.
This is the royal couple’s first overseas travel since the death of Queen Elizabeth II —when William was elevated to first in line to the throne – and their first trip to the U.S. in eight years. Back then, William met with President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
It will be a reunion for the two couples, who have previously met a number of times on UK soil.
Kate previously joined Dr Jill Biden at the start of the G7 summit last summer.
Kate, 39, cut an elegant figure in the £1,125 fuchsia midi dress from Alexander McQueen and carrying a £225 L.K. Bennett handbag that matched her shoes as she arrived to meet the President’s wife, 70, who also wore pink, for the first time.
They were meeting children aged four and five in reception class at the Connor Downs Academy near Camborne followed by a round table discussion with UK education experts convened by Kate.
The royal mother-of-three and the US First Lady discussed female empowerment, children and early education during a seminar on their shared passion for children.
The animated pair seemed to get on like a house on fire as they met children, staff and even helped feed carrots to the class rabbit, Storm.
Meanwhile in November, Prince William and Kate previously met President Biden at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow last year.
Biden laughed with Prince William, and put a hand on his shoulder at the event at the popular Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, a short distance from where the climate summit was being held.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Angela Levin, who wrote Harry: Biography of a Prince, it is thought that Barack and Michelle, 57, never included Harry, 36, and Meghan, 40, on the 475 strong guest-list (pictured, in 2015)
The Obamas also have a long-standing relationship with Harry, having bonded with him over his Invictus Games – for which they starred in a video with the prince and the Queen to help promote it in 2016
The Obamas have a long-standing relationship with Harry, having bonded with him over his Invictus Games – for which they starred in a video with the prince and the Queen to help promote it in 2016.
The following year Harry interviewed Barack in Toronto for his guest edit of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, during which they discussed the risks of social media and the corrosion of civil discourse.
Meghan also made a point of attending Michelle’s talk at the London Southbank Centre in December 2018, with the two women reportedly getting together backstage afterwards for a ‘power meeting’ to discuss their shared passion for girls’ education.
KENNEDY CONNECTIONS
Prince William and Kate Middleton
During the trip to Boston, Prince William will meet Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and be given a short tour of the Museum
During the whirlwind tour of Boston this week, Prince William will visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
Once there, he will meet Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and be given a short tour of the Museum.
President John F. Kennedy’s Moonshot – which challenged America to put man on the moon – is the key inspiration behind The Earthshot Prize and so His Royal Highness will take the opportunity to hear more about President Kennedy’s inspirational legacy and his connections to Boston.
During a tour of the Library and Museum, The Prince will see exhibits from the pivotal years of the Kennedy Administration in the 1960s, ahead of the moon landing in 1969.
William will then attend a private lunch and discussion with representatives from the Founding Partner organisations of The Earthshot Prize.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The Sussexes are reportedly expected to attend the event, at which Robert F. Kennedy’s daughter Kerry says she will honour the couple for their ‘heroic’ stance against the ‘structural racism’ of the royal family
Royal watchers have noted that the Ripple of Hope Award Gala will be held in New York City just days later on December 6, where the Sussexes will pick up an award for their work on racial justice, mental health and causes that make a positive social impact.
The Sussexes are reportedly expected to attend the event, at which Robert F. Kennedy’s daughter says she will honour the couple for their ‘heroic’ stance against the ‘structural racism’ of the royal family.
Kerry Kennedy, one of RFK and Ethel Kennedy’s 11 children and the president of the foundation, says that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have challenged the royal family’s ‘power structure.’
Kennedy, the ex-wife of disgraced New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, told Spanish news site El Confidencial: ‘They went to the oldest institution in UK history and told them what they were doing wrong, that they couldn’t have structural racism within the institution; that they could not maintain a misunderstanding about mental health.’
She spoke about her late father’s visit to apartheid South Africa in 1966 and said that Harry and Meghan have the ‘moral courage’ that many people didn’t to discuss racial justice.
Kennedy said: ‘Few would have the courage to question their colleagues, family and community about the power structure they maintained, and this is what Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have done.’
She added that the Sussexes ‘knew that if they did this there would be consequences… and that people would blame them for it. They have done it anyway because they believed they couldn’t live with themselves if they didn’t question this authority.’
‘I think they have been heroic in taking this step,’ she said.
Previous winners of the award include Presidents Joe Biden, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, former presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Al Gore, Bono and Desmond Tutu.
CELEBRITY BACKERS
Prince William and Kate Middleton
During the Prince and Princess’ visit to the US this week, they are set to host a star-studded award ceremony with celebrities from across the world – including Rami Malek
The star-studded award ceremony will see Billie Eilish (left) and R&B duo Chloe x Halle perform (right, Halle)
During the Prince and Princess’ visit to the US this week, they are set to host a star-studded award ceremony with celebrities from across the world.
The event on Friday will see A-list actors like Rami Malek and Catherine O’Hara present awards, while Annie Lennox, Billie Eilish, Ellie Goulding and R&B duo Chloe x Halle will all perform.
Attendees of the event will include Academy Award-Winning actor Rami; actor, screenwriter and comedian Catherine and actor and advocate Shailene Woodley.
Rami said: ‘The fifteen Finalists of this year’s Earthshot Prize are deeply inspiring.
‘They are dedicating their lives to building solutions that will repair our planet, and I can’t wait to present an award to one of the incredible Winners for 2022.’
Meanwhile Catherine said: ‘Repairing our planet is one of the most important things we can do in our lifetimes.
The passion and ambition of this year’s Earthshot Finalists is much needed in a world of such turmoil, and I am truly honoured to play a role in helping them share their work with the world.’
This year’s awards will also feature performances from Annie Lennox; Billie Eilish accompanied by her brother and creative partner, FINNEAS; R&B duo Chloe x Halle and platinum selling artist and activist Ellie Goulding.
Ellie, who performed at the Prince and Princess’ wedding, said: ‘I am a big supporter of the Prince of Wales’ passion for the environment and share in The Earthshot Prize’s mission to protect and restore our planet.
‘I am particularly excited for viewers around the world to learn about the innovative solutions presented by this year’s cohort of Finalists.’
The glittering event will be hosted by award-winning broadcaster, podcaster and television presenter Clara Amfo and actor, producer and director Daniel Dae Kim.
Clara said: ‘What an honour to return for a second time to host The Earthshot Prize awards, this time from America!
‘I was so inspired by last year’s Winners, and I’m looking forward to celebrating and sharing the incredible work of the 2022 Finalists with the world.’
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
While Prince William and Kate may have a number of celebrities attending the award ceremony this week, Prince Harry and Meghan are often surrounded by a friendship circle full of stars, including Oprah Winfrey
Meanwhile Meghan and Harry have also given further interviews to other celebrities while living in California – including Dax Shephard and Ellen Degeneres (pictured, Meghan with Ellen)
Since Meghan launched her Archetypes podcast, she has put a number of her A-list relationships on show, including Mindy Kahling
While Prince William and Kate may have a number of celebrities attending the award ceremony this week, Prince Harry and Meghan are often surrounded by a friendship circle full of stars.
Among them is Oprah, who has long publicly cultivated a relationship with the couple.
She has promoted the Duchess’s range of vegan coffee to her 19.2million Instagram followers, visited her mother Doria for ‘kumquats and yoga in the garden’ and even teamed up with Harry to secure an Apple TV deal.
And it is clear the royal couple must also value their bond with the hugely influential Miss Winfrey – they now live cheek by jowl with her and other high-profile stars in the celebrity-filled Montecito, California.
The couple went on to give the media mogul their first bombshell interview after stepping down as senior members of the royal family – when they accused The Firm of being racist and said Meghan had been left suicidal by the experience.
Meanwhile Meghan and Harry have also given further interviews to other celebrities while living in California – including Dax Shephard and Ellen Degeneres.
Since Meghan launched her Archetypes podcast, she has put a number of her A-list relationships on show.
From friendly chats with Serena Williams and Mindy Kahling to discussions with Paris Hilton and Mariah Carey, Meghan has cemented her position as a friend to the stars in LA.
GLAMOROUS EVENTS
Prince William and Kate Middleton
The central purpose of the Prince and Princess’ visit to Boston is the second Earthshot Prize, which is William’s environment prize
The central purpose of the Prince and Princess’ visit to Boston is the second Earthshot Prize, which is William’s environment prize.
Inspired by Kennedy’s Moon Shot proposal in the 1960s, which put the first man on the moon and led to the development of new technology, the Earthshot Prize is set to award £50 million in rewards over 10 years.
The Duke’s environmental initiative aims to find solutions to repair and protect the planet – with five winners in 2021 being awarded £1million to support their schemes – such as projects to restore coral reefs and combat air pollution in India.
On 12 September, 1962, in a landmark speech at Rice University, President Kennedy issued a soaring challenge to the country: to land a man on the moon within a decade and bring them safely back to Earth.
In July 1969, the Apollo 11 mission successfully landed the first two human beings on the moon. Sixty years later, that ‘spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship and service’ continues in Boston, said the palace.
Each year, the Earthshot Prize aims to find and reward solutions to five ‘Earthshot’ goals – Protect and restore nature; Clean our air; Revive our oceans; Build a waste-free world; and Fix our climate.
Each winner will receive £1 million to scale their solutions.
Last year, the event took place at the Royal Albert Hall, where it was attended by Emma Thompson, Emma Watson and Ed Sheeran.
To match the event’s ethos and highlight on sustainability, Kate recycled the Alexander McQueen dress she first wore in 2011, at a Bafta reception in Los Angeles while she and Prince William were touring America as newly-weds.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Since moving to the US two years ago, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have attended a number of glitzy galas and award shows
Since moving to the US two years ago, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have attended a number of glitzy galas and award shows.
Last November, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a glamorous gala in New York City to celebrate the military on the eve of Veterans Day in the US and Armistice Day in Britain.
Meghan cut a stylish figure at the ‘Salute to Freedom’ event in a show-stopping red gown by Carolina Herrera, featuring a deep neckline, pleated skirt and thigh-high split. She completed her glamorous ensemble with a pair of matching £696 slingback heels by Giuseppe Zanotti featuring crystal-embellished buckle detail.
This was accessorised with Maison Birks’ £9,934 Snowstorm earrings, a £5,000 gold Cartier Love bracelet, as well as a poppy as she attended the event on an aircraft carrier which houses the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.
In a tribute to the mother-in-law she never met, Meghan also dazzled in Princess Diana’s diamond tennis Cartier bracelet, which retails for an eye-watering £17,700. She swept her long dark locks into a chic bun, drawing attention to her glamorous makeup which included dark eyeshadow and a sweep of blush.
Last November, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a glamorous gala in New York City to celebrate the military on the eve of Veterans Day in the US and Armistice Day in Britain
Harry was in black tie, with the KCVO (Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order) Neck Order and Star on his bow tie. This is a medal given by the Queen in recognition of distinguished personal service to the monarchy.
Asked on the red carpet whether Meghan was proud of her husband, she replied: ‘I’m always proud of him.’
Harry, who served in the British Army for ten years, handed out medals for the Intrepid Valor Awards to five service members, veterans and military families who are living with the ‘invisible wounds of war’.
Meanwhile earlier this year, they accepted the President’s Award at the NAACP Image Awards.
Meghan sported a custom blue-ombre dress with a flowing cape from New York based black designer Christopher John Rogers with a four-ply silk custom creation, and a chiffon bust overlay.
They accepted an award in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service for their work helping a Texas women’s shelter, promoting vaccine equity and creating community relief centres.
Meanwhile this week, they will attend another glitzy award ceremony as they accept the ‘Ripple of Hope Award’ – an award that which Caroline Kennedy sensationally claimed was being given in a nod to their challenging the royal family’s power structure, while echoing their controversial cries of ‘racism’ within the monarchy.
ON THE GROUND
Prince William and Kate Middleton
The last time Kate and William visited the US, the then-Duchess of Cambridge made a big impression on a class of children in Harlem – who thought she was a princess from the Disney film Frozen
The last time Kate and William visited the US, the then-Duchess of Cambridge made a big impression on a class of children in Harlem – who thought she was a princess from the Disney film Frozen.
Her audience of three- and four-year-olds mistook Kate for fictional royalty from the blockbuster film, according to an official at the Northside for Child Development, where she had the first official engagement of her three-day trip to New York.
Outside the building on Fifth Avenue, the regal figure crouched down on the sidewalk and accepted a bouquet of the bright red flowers from a crowd of waiting children, before she went inside and chatted to them while helping out with an art project.
The youngsters, who receive support from a Harlem-based mental health center, welcomed Kate to their institution with the cry ‘Princess’, promoting their royal visitor to smile with delight.
Frozen tells the story of Anna’s adventures with an iceman, his pet reindeer and a snowman, to find her sister Elsa whose icy powers have condemned the kingdom to winter.
Kate did not have Elsa’s flowing blonde hair or blue eyes but the children did not seem to mind.
She was accompanied by writer and poet Chirlane McCray, the First Lady of the New York City, at the public appearance, where she also wrapped Christmas presents for the children before heading off for an intimate lunch at the British Consul General’s official residence.
During this US visit, she is set to visit The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, as part of her ongoing work to elevate the importance of the early years to lifelong outcomes.
She will have a discussion with researchers about the advances in science that can be harnessed to achieve a promising future for every child.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle, 41, cut a low-key figure as she helped to prepare a Thanksgiving meal for 300 homeless women in downtown Los Angeles last week (pictured)
Meanwhile both Prince Harry and Meghan have kept up with their charitable endeavours since moving to the US, and have made a number of low-key appearances with organisations on the ground.
In 2020, the Duke and Duchess were seen delivering food packages on behalf of the Los Angeles-based nonprofit Project Angel Food.
Just days ago, the Duchess cut a low-key figure as she helped to prepare a Thanksgiving meal for 300 homeless women in downtown Los Angeles last week.
The royal, 41, who is currently living in her $14 million mansion in California, donned a black baseball cap and a mint green jumper as she assisted in preparing a lunch at Downtown Women’s Center (DWC).
In a photograph shared on the Archewell Foundation website, the royal can be seen wearing a face mask and gloves as she helps to hand out slices of pumpkin pie.
It’s also likely that Meghan prepared a meal for her own family as she did last year, when she appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and revealed: ‘I love to cook, we’ll be home and just relax and sort of settle in.’
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk