LONDON (The Thursday Times) — The Princess of Wales will join Prince William in India this week for three days of events in Mumbai, Kensington Palace confirmed, her first long-haul overseas trip since she announced her cancer diagnosis in March 2024.
The palace said that from Monday the couple will take part in royal events “celebrating innovation, sustainability, youth leadership and the enduring connections between the United Kingdom and India”. The highlight is Tuesday’s Earthshot Prize awards night, the environmental prize William founded, where winners in five categories will each receive £1 million.
The couple are also expected to meet Bollywood stars to learn about India’s film industry, take part in events celebrating the country’s love of cricket, and attend the first Children’s Earthshot Awards, which asked young people across India aged nine to 17 to take action on environmental problems.
Back on a major tour
Kate, 44, was treated at the Royal Marsden hospital for an undisclosed form of cancer and said in January 2025 that she was in remission. William said in May that she was “edging herself back” into overseas visits, but that royal trips took their toll and “we have to make sure she’s okay and rested”.
She last attended an Earthshot ceremony in Boston in December 2022. The couple’s last major tour, to the Caribbean in March 2022, drew criticism for images that some called colonial in tone, though they were also warmly received in many places.
The prize, launched in 2021 and modelled on John F Kennedy’s Moonshot programme, has been staged in London, Singapore, Cape Town, Boston and Rio de Janeiro. Environmental groups criticised this year’s choice of venue earlier this month because the Mumbai site is owned by Reliance Industries, the conglomerate that runs the world’s biggest oil refinery.
“As we prepare to host the Earthshot Prize Summit in Mumbai, these remarkable children remind us that local community action, driven by youthful optimism and determination, is vital to repairing our planet,” said Jason Knauf, Earthshot’s chief executive.
