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Prince and Princess of Wales to Visit Boston as the Royal Family Recasts Itself

William and Catherine will announce the winners of awards for work on the environment. But their visit is weighted with additional significance.

By Remy Tumin

On its face, the visit by William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, to Boston this week is typical of the British royal family’s philanthropic work.

The couple will present awards given out by the Earthshot Prize , an organization founded by William to help entrepreneurs with solutions to climate change and environmental issues.

But the visit is weighted with extra significance as William and Kate visit the United States for the first time in eight years, a time spanning a swell of change for the royal family as it tries to rebrand itself as a modern monarchy.

It will be the first visit by the royal couple to the United States since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September; the first time they touch U.S. soil since Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, left Britain for a more private life in California; the first time they are greeted by an American public that has a deeper understanding of royal life, thanks in part to Netflix’s “The Crown.”

“This is them trying to establish who they are in a more pared-down, streamlined monarchy,” said Arianne J. Chernock, a history professor at Boston University and a scholar of modern Britain. “This is a more updated, modernized family that they want to represent.”

Dr. Chernock said the Earthshot Prize, a cause that the royal family has embraced in recent years , is a way for the prince and princess to explore how they can align themselves with “core, weighty issues and maintain a sense of relevance, as well as a connection with their subjects and global population to justify their existence.”

“It’s a tall task,” she added.

To do that, the couple, who are to arrive on Wednesday, have largely limited the scope of their itinerary to climate issues and social change. Mayor Michelle Wu will meet William and Kate for a welcome event at City Hall on Wednesday afternoon. Caroline Kennedy, the ambassador to Australia and the daughter of President John F. Kennedy, will also greet them.

On Thursday, the couple will visit Greentown Labs, an incubator for start-ups tackling climate issues, and Roca, a nonprofit organization that works with young people in preventing incarceration. On Friday, the prince will visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, and the princess will visit the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University.

The main focus will be on the Earthshot Prize on Friday night. Five entrepreneurs will each receive 1 million pounds, or about $1.2 million, to continue their work in one of five categories: the restoration and protection of nature; air cleanliness; ocean revival; waste-free living; and climate action. The prize’s name is inspired by Kennedy’s “moonshot” initiative , which was announced in 1962 and put men on the moon for the first time in 1969. William announced the 15 finalists for the prize in early November.

“This is his Super Bowl moment of the year,” said Karen Pierce, the British ambassador to the United States, “and he uses it to shine the light on some of the most impactful projects that are doing amazing things around the world to help save the planet.”

Compared with a traditional royal tour, Ms. Pierce said, this visit is “much more focused on the work being done in climate change.” The prince and princess are “very natural people,” she said. “They want to meet ordinary people who are working hard for their communities.”

Ms. Pierce said the idea to announce the prize winners in Boston was twofold. This year is the 60th anniversary of Kennedy’s moonshot goal, and the event will also honor “the tremendous work” Boston has accomplished in battling climate change.

Boston’s historical connection to Britain is not lost on anyone, she added.

In fact, dating to the American Revolution, “Americans have never lost their fascination with the royal family,” Dr. Chernock said.

“You can see some of that royalism in America in the fact that we have created our own royalties and dynasties — whether it’s the Kennedys or the Bushes,” she said. “There is still this fascination with inheritance and family dynasty.”

That makes Boston, a cradle of the American Revolution and home to the Kennedys, “fertile ground for a royal visit,” she said. “It’s really the perfect city for them.”

William and Kate’s visit is the first major one to Boston by British royals in recent times. The one with the most fanfare occurred in 1976, when Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited for the U.S. bicentennial . Among their stops was a service at the Old North Church in Boston.

The Rev. Dr. Matthew Cadwell, the current vicar of church, said that “there’s enthusiasm and excitement,” especially among congregants who still remember the queen’s visit.

William and Kate’s last trip abroad together was a turbulent tour of the Caribbean in March, one filled with gaffes, miscues and renewed calls for reparations for Britain’s role in the slave trade. Dr. Chernock said that trip had been “ill conceived” and that this trip would probably be much more carefully managed and calculated.

“It will be telling to see how they present themselves, the kinds of comments they make to the public — have they accepted or heard some of the criticisms?” Dr. Chernock said. The couple has been “quite good at being human,” she said, and at tackling difficult issues, like climate change and mental health, that “they do genuinely care about.”

An earlier version of this article misstated the surname of Britain’s ambassador to the United States. She is Karen Pierce, not Price. It also referred incorrectly to previous visits to Boston by members of the British royal family. While Queen Elizabeth II toured the city in 1976, that was not the last visit. Other members of the family have been there since.

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Remy Tumin is a reporter for The Times covering breaking news and other topics. More about Remy Tumin

Prince William And Kate Middleton's Boston Trip: All The Pics You Need To See

Senior Reporter, HuffPost

BOSTON ― The Prince and Princess of Wales are officially back on American soil, eight years after their last visit to the U.S.

Prince William and Kate Middleton kicked off their three-day trip to Boston on Wednesday at City Hall, where they met with the mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu, and Ambassador Caroline Kennedy.

On Thursday, the royal couple are set to visit Greentown Labs, the largest climatetech incubator in North America. Afterward, they’ll head to Roca Inc. in Chelsea to meet with members of that organization, which is focused on young adults, ages 16-24, who “have experienced extensive trauma and are the primary victims or drivers of urban violence.”

On Friday, the prince and princess will split up for separate engagements prior to the awards ceremony. Kate will travel to The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University in Cambridge, while William will visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum with Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, who is the daughter of the former president.

William and Kate will then make their way to the MGM Music Hall at Fenway for the 2022 Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony, which a Kensington Palace spokesperson told HuffPost is akin to a “Super Bowl” moment for the prince.

The awards will be hosted by broadcaster Clara Amfo for the second year in a row, alongside “Lost” actor Daniel Dae Kim.

The Prince of Wales will give remarks at the end of the show, while the Princess of Wales is set to present during the show itself, alongside actors Catherine O’Hara, Rami Malek and Shailene Woodley.

Audiences tuning in will get to see performances by Billie Eilish and Finneas, Chloe x Halle, Annie Lennox and Ellie Goulding, who performed at William and Kate’s wedding.

One thing not on the agenda so far: a reunion with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle , who are now based in California after stepping back from being working royals in 2020. A palace source told HuffPost that the Prince and Princess of Wales “won’t be distracted by other things” and are solely focused on the Earthshot Prize.

The Sussexes have a busy few weeks ahead, as Netflix is reportedly set to release a docuseries on the couple next week, and Harry’s highly anticipated memoir will hit shelves on Jan. 10.

The brothers will also have a Kennedy connection this week and next, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be honored at the Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award Gala on Dec. 6 in New York City. But for this America trip ― they’re keeping their diaries separate.

Check out all the photos of the royals’ trip to Boston below:

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Prince William, Kate head to Boston: Everything to know about the couple's 1st US trip in 8 years

William and Kate will attend several events during their three days in Boston.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are coming to America.

Prince William and Kate will travel to Boston this week, marking their first visit to the United States since 2014, when they visited New York City and famously shook hands with Beyoncé and Jay-Z at a Brooklyn Nets game.

The royals will arrive in Boston on Wednesday, two days ahead of the second annual awards ceremony for the Earthshot Prize, an initiative William launched in 2019 to create solutions for environmental problems.

Their itinerary in the city includes everything from meeting Caroline Kennedy to visiting Harvard University.

The visit to Boston is William and Kate's first overseas trip since the death of William's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September, and their first overseas trip since taking on the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales .

"TRHs are both excited for their first international trip since taking on their news roles as Prince and Princess of Wales," a Kensington Palace spokesperson told ABC News. "Both appreciate the history associated to the titles but understandably want to look to the future and pave their own paths."

Here is what to watch on each day of William and Kate's three-day visit.

Wednesday: Welcome celebration in Boston

William and Kate will be welcomed to Boston on Nov. 30 in a ceremony at City Hall attended by Kennedy and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who made history last year as the first woman and first person of color to be elected mayor.

In honor of the Earthshot Prize's focus on the environment, landmarks across the city, including City Hall, will be lit up in the color green.

Thursday: Visiting with high-risk youth

The royal couple will start their second day in Boston with a visit to Greentown Labs, a climate technology start-up incubator, in nearby Somerville, Massachusetts.

According to Kensington Palace, William and Kate will learn during the visit about "climate innovations" being incubated in Boston.

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From there, the couple will travel just a few miles to Chelsea, where they will visit Roca, nonprofit organization that focuses on helping high-risk young people between the ages of 16 and 24, according to the palace.

William and Kate will meet with leaders of the organization and with participants in the young mothers' and young men's programs.

Friday: Earthshot Awards at MGM Music Hall

Friday's main event will be the 2022 Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony, which will be held Friday night at MGM Music Hall at Fenway, located close to Fenway Park.

The ceremony, which will air around the world on Dec. 4, will see five winners awarded $1 million grants each to scale their solutions to help repair planet Earth.

The ceremony will also include live performances by Billie Eilish, Annie Lennox, Ellie Goulding and Chloe.x.Halle, and will feature actors including Rami Malek, Catherine O’Hara, Shailene Woodley and Daniel Dae Kim as hosts and presenters.

MORE: Kate, the Princess of Wales, dazzles in Lover's Knot Tiara at state banquet

Earlier in the day Friday, Kate and William will each attend separate events.

Kate, who has made early childhood education a focus of her royal work, will meet with researchers at The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University.

William plans to tour the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum along with Caroline Kennedy.

William has said that President John F. Kennedy's "moonshot" challenge in 1962 to land a man on the moon within 10 years was the inspiration behind his Earthshot Prize, which has a goal to find solutions to repair the planet within the next 10 years.

The John F. Kennedy Foundation partnered with Earthshot Prize to bring this year's awards ceremony to Boston, according to the organization .

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The first overseas trip by the Prince and Princess of Wales since the death of Queen Elizabeth II began Wednesday, an occasion to show the world as much about who they are not as who they are.

With their three-day visit to Boston, focused on Prince William’s initiative to find the environmental entrepreneurs of a new generation, supplemented with trips to an anti-poverty program, child development researchers and local flood defenses, the couple hope to demonstrate that they aren’t the last remnants of a dying institution. Instead, Americans will see the younger face of a monarchy that is tackling important issues as it seeks to remain relevant in modern, multicultural Britain.

William said he chose to hold the second Earthshot Prize in Boston partly because it’s the home turf of the President Kennedy, whose 1962 speech set the audacious goal of putting men on the moon within the decade.

“It was that moonshot speech that inspired me to launch the Earthshot Prize with the aim of doing the same for climate change as President Kennedy did for the space race. And where better to hold this year’s awards ceremony than in President Kennedy’s hometown,” William said.

The royal visit got off to a rainy, blustery start, but hundreds of people nonetheless waited in a steady downpour for the couple’s first public event at Boston City Hall, after arriving aboard a commercial British Airways flight. Later, the couple planned to attend a Boston Celtics NBA game.

The visit comes less than three months after the death of Elizabeth, whose personal popularity dampened criticism of the crown during her 70-year reign. King Charles III, William’s father, has made clear that his will be a slimmed-down monarchy, with less pomp and ceremony than its predecessors.

“I think this is less about saving the Earth and more about saving the royal family,’’ Boston University professor Arianne Chernock, an expert in modern British history, said. “To be honest, we’ve seen Charles as king and his first months in that position trying to feel his way, find his way towards being a more relevant, more modern monarch. And I think we see something similar happening with William and Kate.’’

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Part of that reset involves reclaiming the hearts and minds of people in America, where William’s younger brother, Prince Harry, and sister-in-law, Meghan, have dominated the media since moving to California in 2020. Harry and Meghan have criticized the royal family for alleged racism and insensitive treatment and built their own media profile by making films and podcasts for Netflix and Spotify.

The trip got off to a rocky start when a lady in waiting to the late Queen Elizabeth apologized and resigned over allegations that she asked a prominent Black advocate for survivors of domestic abuse where she “really came from,” despite her insistence she was a British national.

Britain’s Press Assn. and a number of other media outlets in Britain identified the woman who made the remarks as Lady Susan Hussey, who served the monarch for more than 60 years. She is also a godmother to the Prince of Wales.

The Netflix series “The Crown” has also resurrected some of the more troubled times of the House of Windsor, including the collapse of Charles’ marriage to the late Princess Diana, William’s mother, amid mutual allegations of infidelity.

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But William and Kate are keen to tell a different story, about their work on environmental issues, mental health and early childhood education.

During a gala concert celebrating the queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June, William delivered a speech highlighting his grandmother’s and father’s pioneering work on the environment, as images of jungles and oceans were projected on the walls of Buckingham Palace behind him.

Kate last week wrote an opinion piece on the need to improve the lives of young children that appeared in the Daily Telegraph, one of Britain’s most influential newspapers, alongside a photo of the princess sitting cross-legged among a group of elementary school students.

“Over the past 10 years, talking to a wide range of experts about how we deal with societal issues like poor mental and physical health, I have become more and more sure of one thing: If we are going to create a healthier and happier society for future generations, we must start by understanding and acknowledging the unique importance of the first five years of life,” she wrote.

William and Kate’s last visit to the United States was in 2014, not long after their wedding. During that trip, the glamorous young couple were feted as they toured the eastern U.S.

Eight years later, now in their 40s and with three young children, the prince and princess are finally having a return engagement.

On Wednesday, they were greeted at the airport by Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker before heading to City Hall to meet Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Gov.-elect Maura Healey ahead of a visit to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library and Museum. President Biden planned to greet the couple later in the week.

City Hall, along with 15 other landmarks, was lit up in green to mark the kickoff of the Earthshot celebrations.

Andrew Warburton, who grew up in Bristol, England, but had never before seen the royal family, praised the work on the environment while waiting for the event. “I’m hoping to hear some good stuff about climate change and the efforts we are making to combat that. They represent the future in that way,” he said.

Pamela Spencer, a teacher from Rhode Island, gathered with her two sisters in hopes of giving William and Kate a bouquet of flowers.

“They are following in the footsteps of her late majesty. I’m really here to show them they have a lot of support in New England,” she said.

Later in the week, William and Kate will visit Roca Inc., highlighting the racial equity group’s efforts to improve the lives of young people by addressing issues such as poverty, incarceration and trauma from urban violence. They will also visit Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child, a leader in research into the long-term impact of early childhood experiences.

But throughout the trip, William’s eye will be on the Earthshot Prize.

By focusing on the environment and climate change in particular, the royals are likely to strike a nerve in the U.S., where many people still deny the existence of human-made global warming, said author, social commentator and Washington Post contributor Sally Quinn. The ability of the royals to shine a light on the issue and fuse their fame with entertainers such as Billie Eilish, who is set to headline the awards show, is likely to make people pay attention.

If nothing else, it will put a face to the issue and make it more graspable than the technical presentations of scientists, Quinn said.

“Obviously the media and the attention will be good, not just because they’re celebrities and because they’re royals, but because they are serious people who care about issues,” Quinn said. “I mean, they’re not frivolous. They’re not partygoers. They’re not out dancing on tables every night. They’re really hardworking royals, and they’re issues that they care about.”

Earthshot offers $1.2 million in prize money to the winners of five separate categories: nature protection, clean air, ocean revival, waste elimination and climate change. The winners and all 15 finalists also receive help in expanding their projects to meet global demand.

The winners are set to be announced Friday at Boston’s MGM Music Hall as part of a glitzy show headlined by Eilish, Annie Lennox, Ellie Goulding and Chloe x Halle. The show will also feature videos narrated by naturalist David Attenborough and actor Cate Blanchett.

The BBC’s Clara Amfo and American actor-producer Daniel Dae Kim were selected as co-hosts. The prize presenters include actors Rami Malek, Catherine O’Hara and Shailene Woodley.

The ceremony is scheduled to be broadcast Sunday on the BBC in the U.K., PBS in the U.S. and Multichoice across Africa.

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See the Best Photos of the Royal Family Visiting Boston

In honor of Prince William and Kate Middleton's trip to New England, take a trip down memory lane of royal visits of years past.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

"Queen Elizabeth II made up for the tyrannical reputation of her great-great-great-great-grandfather, King George III, yesterday: she made friends with Boston," the Boston Globe reported at the time.

During her address at the time, Queen Elizabeth said , "If Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and other patriots could have known that one day a British Monarch would stand beneath the balcony of the Old State House, from which the Declaration of Independence was first read to the people of Boston and be greeted by the Mayor and others in such generous words, well I think they would have been extremely surprised! But perhaps they would also have been pleased. Pleased to know that, eventually, we came together again as free peoples and friends and defended together the very ideals for which the American Revolution was fought."

So despite its anti-monarchical history, the royals have been welcomed to the city. Here, scroll through the best photos of the British royal family in Boston over the decades:

Queen Elizabeth, July 1976

Queen Elizabeth visited Boston for the bicentenary celebrations of U.S. Independence.

The Queen and Prince Philip also stopped in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and New York City on their 1976 royal visit to the States.

During their day in Boston, they were accompanied by the city's mayor Kevin White (right) and Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis (not pictured). During the day, the Queen toured the Old State House, Old North Church, Boston City Hall, and the USS Constitution.

The streets were packed to get a glimpse of the Queen.

Queen Elizabeth and Gov. Dukakis during the parade.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip took in some Revolutionary War reenacters dressed as British redcoats.

Prince Charles, September 1986

A decade later, Prince Charles, traveled to Boston—well, Cambridge—to celebrate Harvard's 350th anniversary.

Prince Charles (seated, center) gave a keynote address during the weekend, where he was self depreciating and funny: "As an old Cambridge man, and one hailing from a college not more than an easy bicycle ride from John Harvard’s Emmanuel College, I am particularly pleased and proud to be standing here ‘in the Yard.’…I must confess that I am somewhat surprised, as well…because I thought that in Massachusetts they weren’t too certain about the supposed benefits of royalty. Indeed, before coming here I noticed that at least one American newspaper had said it was a definite mistake to invite someone as appallingly undemocratic as The Prince of Wales. It just showed how out of touch Harvard was with the United States, it went on."

Princess Anne, June 1995

Less than a decade later, the Princess Royal arrived at Boston, where she stayed at the Four Seasons and was presented with this ginormous bouquet.

Another shot of Anne getting out of her car in Boston.

Prince Edward, September 2000

The most recent royal visit to Boston was by Prince Edward, over two decades ago. He was in town to receive the Bette Davis Special Achievement Award at Boston University for his documentary filmmaking.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, June 2019

OK, this isn't Boston, but the Boston Red Sox were in London, and Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex met the team (and met the Yankees, who were also there). It's basically like they visited Boston, right?

Prince William and Kate Middleton, November/December 2022

The Prince and Princess of Wales are in Boston for a three-day visit to celebrate the second annual Earthshot Prize . On their first night in Beantown, they took in a Celtics game.

Earlier on their first day, they braved the rain to kickoff the Earthshot Prize celebrations. In his speech , Prince William told the gathered crowds, "Thank you to all the hardy Bostonians braving the rain tonight."

Read more here.

On their second day, they braved the cold to visit east Boston to see the impact of climate change on the shoreline. Read more here.

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma , a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram .

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My Brush with Royalty! What Kate Middleton and Prince William's Boston Trip Was Like Behind the Scenes

When the Prince and Princess of Wales came to Boston, PEOPLE's team was on the ground to report on every moment — including backstage at the Earthshot Prize Awards

Stephanie Petit is a Royals Editor, Writer and Reporter at PEOPLE.

I've been following Kate Middleton , Prince William and the rest of the royal family professionally for nearly five years...and even longer than that for my personal interest. (Teen Prince William was definitely a crush of mine, and my college roommates and I tried to stay up all night to watch him marry Kate in 2011 from our dorm room in New Jersey...we fell asleep but caught the replay.) So when it was announced that the Prince and Princess of Wales were coming to the United States, I joined PEOPLE's team in packing my bags and shipping up to Boston — Alexa, play Dropkick Murphys.

The thing about being a royal reporter in the U.S. is that you're usually separated by an ocean and a five-hour time difference (at least). But for three days in Boston, there were occasions when I was standing just feet away from Prince William and Princess Kate.

And while any royal encounter would be exciting, their trip to Boston was big: not only was this their first trip to the U.S. since 2014 (I still have a blurry phone photo of the Empire State Building lit red, white and blue in their honor!), but this was their first international trip as the Prince and Princess of Wales. It also marked the second year of Prince William 's Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony — and the first time the awards were held outside the U.K. The stakes were high, and Boston was buzzing from the moment I pulled in — even the valet at the hotel excitedly told me, "The Prince and Princess are in town!"

On Wednesday, I literally dropped my bags at my hotel following my five-hour drive to head to the couple's first outing of the trip: an appearance outside Boston City Hall. It was a couple of hours before Kate and Prince William were scheduled to arrive at the landmark but already Bostonians were lined up to catch a glimpse — all bundled up in jackets and many holding umbrellas to shield themselves from the rain.

I started chatting with Molly Twomey, a Boston native who actually had seen Kate and Prince William before — from a distance, at least, when she attended a 90th birthday celebration at Windsor Castle for Queen Elizabeth while studying abroad in London.

"I've always loved the royals. My mom has loved the royals since I was a little girl, so I remember waking up in the morning for Princess Kate and Prince William 's wedding and watching it," she told me. "Then also I studied abroad in London, so I've always had a fascination with the royal family, so for them to come to my hometown, I couldn't miss it."

Despite hours of standing in the cold rain, the Prince and Princess of Wales were greeted with a roar from the crowd. People around me were giggling with delight as Prince William made a speech, well aware that they were listening to a future king as he called them "hardy Bostonians."

Next, we were off to the Boston Celtics game. We spotted Prince William and Princess Kate seated courtside from our seats, and they clearly enjoyed the game from the tip-off and chatted with the people they were seated with throughout. I told my colleagues Simon Perry and Janine Henni that I wouldn't be surprised if the couple left at halftime given that it was already quite late over in the U.K. — but nope! Kate and William stayed the entire game, including a Jumbotron moment where they smiled and waved.

On Thursday, Janine and I bundled up to head to Roca, a non-profit in neighboring Chelsea focused on high-risk young people between the ages of 16 and 24 at the center of urban violence. Although the rain clouds of Wednesday had parted and the sun was shining, gloves and hats were a must in the gusty wind. But again, crowds were gathering with flags, signs, flowers and more to welcome the royals.

Afterward, I spoke with Lindsey Simser, who drove from New Hampshire to see Prince William and Princess Kate with her 3-month-old daughter, Rilly. She told me that no matter the weather, she wasn't going to miss this opportunity.

"I would come in a snowstorm. I would come in a blizzard to see this," she said. "This is amazing that they're here doing so much great work."

We learned it was pretty easy to know when Prince William and Kate were nearby — the motorcade was led by motorcycles, then a series of cars pulled up to Roca's entrance. Prince William and Kate quickly headed inside with a wave to the crowd — and an hour or so later, they emerged and headed straight over to the people gathered for an impromptu walkabout. While the first trailer for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 's Netflix docuseries dropped earlier that morning, the couple was cheerful as they shook hands and greeted well-wishers.

Local resident Alex Cross, 30, told Janine that she shook Prince William 's hand and asked if he could greet her mom from Tennessee who was on the phone.

"Is she on there now?" William asked, to which the woman replied yes. Prince William then asked Cross what her mother's name was and spoke to her right into the phone with hesitation. "Mallory, hello! Where in Tennessee? I hope it's warmer there!" he said with a laugh.

As the couple returned to their car, I waved a little Union Jack flag. I don't know if Prince William spotted it, but I do have a photo where he does seem to be looking in my direction!

After a coffee stop at Dunkin Donuts — a must while in Massachusetts, right? — we then headed straight to Boston Harbor for the couple's next engagement, where they learned about how climate change is affecting the city's shoreline. Here's what I know about reporting on that outing — it was cold. Prince William didn't even have gloves on and kept his hands tucked in his pockets. I couldn't believe they didn't have any hats on, as I was freezing despite wearing mine.

We had some better weather on Friday, but as Kate and Prince William each carried out solo engagements, I was prepping for the Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony. I was torn between wearing a navy jumpsuit and a gold gown for the event, but I figured that I should look my best for such an event — and when I found out David Beckham would be handing out an award, that sealed the deal. I mean, he wasn't named PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive in 2015 for nothing!

I found out earlier in the trip that I'd be a pool reporter for the event, meaning that I would be on the green carpet when Kate and Prince William arrived, watching the show from the wings and then backstage when the couple met the presenters and performers. Before I knew it, I was on the green carpet with my press credentials hanging around my neck (in my opinion, only enhancing my ensemble) as stars like Chloe and Halle Bailey, Rami Malek, Shailene Woodley and Catherine O'Hara arrived. Of course, the loudest screams came from the crowds gathered across the street when the Prince and Princess of Wales stepped out of their car, Kate in her incredible statement green dress — you could spot her from a mile away! And I let out a little squeal when a fellow reporter showed me a photo pulled up on Google — the choker necklace worn by Kate was a piece straight from Princess Diana's jewelry box!

We were ushered inside, where we watched the royals take their seats for the show front and center. Throughout the show, they leaned into each other to talk. After Kate presented the award for Clean Our Air, Prince William looked up and placed a hand on her back — you could tell how supportive they were of each other.

Before Ellie Goulding took the stage for the night's final performance and before Prince William gave a speech, we were whisked away to get ready for their backstage meet-and-greet. The room was smaller than I imagined, and at one point as we were repositioned, I was inches away from Kate — I carefully squeezed by, being extra careful not to brush against her dress! We stood off to the side as the couple talked to the performers — Prince William appeared to tell Chloe x Halle that he was impressed by the lighting during their rendition of "Feeling Good," and Kate sweetly put a hand on Ellie's arm as she joined her conversation with Prince William .

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It was a little bit difficult to sleep that night — I was exhausted, for sure, but the buzz of excitement was still there. I stayed up much later than I should have, scrolling through Instagram to see Kate chatting with people at Harvard University earlier in the day and catching up on Prince William 's meeting with President Joe Biden.

Despite less-than-ideal weather and some "U.S.A." chants at the Celtics game, Prince William and Princess Kate clearly left Boston charmed — from the members of the crowd who only got a glimpse of their heads ducking into a car to Sasha , the Harvard University Police Department dog who posed for a photo with Kate. And, of course, they charmed me — it's one thing to admire people and the important work they do from afar, but seeing it in action was something I'll never forget.

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Boston's Morning Newsletter

Here's a look at prince william and kate's busy boston itinerary.

• Nik DeCosta-Klipa

Editor's Note:  This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox,  sign up here . 

It’s one if by land; two if by sea. But how many if by plane?

The British — specifically Prince William and his wife, Kate, the Princess of Wales — are coming. To Boston. Today! In their first trip to the U.S. since 2014, Prince William and Princess Kate are spending three days here to “get to know” Boston and its “ambitious action to combat the effects of climate change.” Their visit begins this evening with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and a public event at City Hall, and it concludes Friday night with  Billie Eilish  and the announcement of the second annual Earthshot Prize awards. But they have a busy schedule in between. Here’s a look:

• Wednesday: The visit officially begins with a private meeting with Wu in her office, followed by a welcome event outside City Hall at 4:30 p.m. with speeches from Wu, Prince William and others. A British Consulate official tells me the welcome event “really will be the best opportunity for the general public to see Their Royal Highnesses,” if Mother Nature cooperates. Right now,  there’s rain and heavy wind in the forecast .
• Thursday: The couple will visit Greentown Labs, a climate tech startup incubator in Somerville, to learn about local innovations around 10:30 a.m. Then, they’ll head to Chelsea around noon to visit Roca, a nonprofit focused on reducing youth violence.
• Friday: Their last day in town begins with an 11:15 a.m. visit to Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child in Cambridge. Then, they’re taking a short tour of the JFK Library with Caroline Kennedy. Last but not least, they’ll unveil the five winners of the 2022 Earthshot awards at the new  MGM Music Hall in Fenway . (You can read about this year’s 15 finalists  here .)
• Psst: The royal couple may or may not be making other public appearances during their time in Boston. But for now, Kensington Palace is keeping the details of any other plans under wraps.

A  controversial proposal  to build a new electrical substation in East Boston is another step closer to reality, after getting a special permit Tuesday from the state’s Energy Facilities Siting Board. The Boston Globe  reports  that the board gave Eversource a special certificate allowing it to circumvent the 14 final environmental permits needed for the project — outraging local environmental justice advocates.

• Eversource says the substation is necessary to meet growing demand for electricity in the East Boston area. But critics have raised concerns about its vulnerability to flooding and potential safety hazards in a neighborhood already burdened by pollution. Last year, 84% of Boston voters  came out against the substation in a nonbinding ballot question .
• What’s next? Environmental groups told the Globe they plan to appeal the latest decision and hope Gov.-elect Maura Healey — a critic of the plan — can find a way to intervene.

The Boston City Council plans to once again take up a proposal today to allow residents as young as 16 to vote in municipal-level elections (i.e. mayor and city councilor). City Councilor Kenzie Bok, a former civics teacher and lead sponsor of the home rule petition, told WBUR’s Amy Sokolow that she’s seen how “young people are absolutely capable of engaging with the questions that are burning in their community.”

• Bok isn’t the only supporter.  Nearly half the City Council  is co-sponsoring the measure.  During her mayoral campaign last year , Wu said she also supports lowering the local voting age to 16.
• But even if approved by the City Council and Wu, the measure would face an uncertain road. That’s because home rule petitions need approval from the Legislature and governor, too. And similar efforts to lower the municipal voting age to 16 by neighboring communities — including  Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville  — have all failed to get through the State House.

P.S.— It wasn’t pretty, but the U.S. men’s national team is headed to the 16-team knockout stage of the World Cup, after  an arduous 1-0 win Tuesday over Iran . Next up: the Netherlands. The two sides will face off Saturday at 10 a.m. to advance to the quarterfinals.

Nik DeCosta-Klipa Newsletter Editor Nik DeCosta-Klipa is the newsletter editor for WBUR.

More from WBUR

President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center grand opening ceremony in New York City.

Prince William, Kate receive warm welcome in Boston as racism backlash erupts

by JODI REED, WJAR Staff | KATIE CAVINESS, The National Desk

BOSTON (WJAR/TND) — The Prince and Princess of Wales have kicked off their three-day trip to Boston, marking their first overseas trip since the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The trip was overshadowed Thursday as Prince William's office faced backlash over his godmother’s treatment of a Black advocate for survivors of domestic abuse. His office said “racism has no place in our society” after Lady Susan Hussey, 83, repeatedly asked the chief executive of an east London women’s refuge where she “really came from” after the woman told Hussey she was British. The exchange took place at a Buckingham Palace reception hosted by Camilla, the queen consort, for women working to fight domestic violence.

Hussey has since resigned as an honorary member of the royal household.

These comments were unacceptable, and it’s right that the individual has stepped aside with immediate effect," Kensington Palace said.

Hussey, who served as the late Queen Elizabeth II’s lady-in-waiting for more than 60 years, has apologized for “unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

"Institutional racism" allegations have plagued the royal family as William and Kate try to prove Britain's more youthful monarchy remains relevant in a rapidly evolving world. Last year, comments by Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, set off a firestorm. The biracial American woman, married to William's brother, Prince Harry, said in an interview with TV host Oprah that a member of the royal family questioned what the color of her baby's skin would be when she was pregnant with her first child.

The same day Britain's future king and his wife began their Boston tour, Netflix released new footage of an upcoming documentary about Harry and Meghan showing the couple is once again tackling their rift with the royal family in their own words.

William and Kate were at City Hall Plaza on Wednesday to kick off their visit to the city of Boston. The pair chose Boston to host the second Earthshot Prize in honor of President John F. Kennedy, who started the Moonshot program. William’s initiative will support entrepreneurs working on solutions to climate change and other environmental problems.

“We are both looking forward to spending the next few days learning about the innovative ways are tackling climate change,” William said to an energetic crowd.

'We choose to go to the moon,' he [Kennedy] said, 'not because it is easy, but because it is hard.' It was that moonshot speech that inspired me to launch the Earthshot Prize with the aim of doing the same thing for climate change as President Kennedy did for the space race,” William added. "And where better to hold this year's awards ceremony than in President Kennedy's hometown?"

Fans crowded around the podium set up at City Hall Plaza to try and catch a glimpse of the royals and those WJAR spoke with said it was worth the wait, even in the rain.

“I feel really wet and cold right now but I have loved the royal family since I was a kid, I loved Princess Diana, I love William and Kate. I’m obviously a fan of saving the environment but I came today for the royals,” said Boston resident Meredith Dixon.

“We came here today from Illinois, my mother flew all the way from Palmer, Alaska, and we stood out here for five and a half hours just to be able to see Princess Catherine and Prince William, it was incredible, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Kayla Smith told WJAR.

The royals are staying at the Four Seasons in the Back Bay neighborhood. This is the pair's first trip to the US. since 2014.

They have a packed schedule while in town, including a tour of a non-profit and visiting an environmental start-u. The two were seen hanging out courtside at Wednesday night's Celtics game. They arrived around 15 minutes before tipoff, sitting with Massachusetts Governor-elect Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

All of those events will lead to Friday’s announcement where five winners will be selected to receive the 2022 Earthshot awards. Each winner will get $1 million to continue their work to make the world cleaner for everyone.

_______________

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Princess Kate: Palace 'unsure' if she will join Royal Family for Scotland trip

By Georgia Pearce

Published: 26/06/2024

King Charles could appoint the next Prime Minister at the Palace of Holyrood House in Scotland due to his ongoing cancer treatment, it has been claimed.

The British monarch is set to travel to Scotland next week, for the annual Holyrood Week celebrations, also known as Royal Week.

FULL STORY HERE.

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'Heartbroken' Prince Harry 'planning UK trip' to face Royal Family and repair relations

Prince Harry is planning to "fly over" to the UK to patch things up with the Royal Family, a source has claimed.

It follows three recent snubs for the Duke of Sussex after he lost out on an invite to Trooping the Colour this month, failed to meet King Charles on his May visit and was "uninvited" to the Duke of Westminster's wedding.

Having been forced to watch the King's official birthday from the US away and reportedly being "upset and emotional" when he saw footage of Princess Kate, Harry has allegedly now decided to take action.

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An insider told Closer magazine: "He can't believe it's come to this, and he's now saying he's going to fly over and force them to face him. He's still a prince, after all; they're still his family, and whether they like it or not, he's refusing to just be cast aside."

They added: "He continues to be heartbroken and confused by the way he's being treated by the royals. It's as though he doesn't exist anymore."

Harry's feud with the Royal Family began in March 2021 he joined Meghan in giving a controversial interview to Oprah Winfrey, in which they accused the royals of racism and bullying.

Meghan alleged that Princess Kate had made her cry during an argument about Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress prior to the Sussexes' wedding in 2018.

It was followed by a bombshell Netflix series, Harry & Meghan, which revealed Kate's "coldness" towards Meghan, something Harry reiterated in his 2023 memoir, Spare, by writing that she had been "grimacing" over lip gloss.

In a more recent controversy, Meghan last week landed criticism after unveiling a range of dog treats under her American Riviera Orchard brand on the same day that Kate returned to the public spotlight.

Harry's relationship with Kate has also suffered, despite the pair sharing a similar sense of humour and the latter once gifting him a "grow-your-own girlfriend" kit for Christmas.

The source claimed the fact he is unable to "bond" with his "beloved" sister-in-law in person is something he finds "incredibly difficult" to live with, to "say the very least".

They said: "He continues to be heartbroken and confused by the way he's being treated by the royals. He's not getting updates on his father or Kate's health, and even basic communications are pretty well non-existent.

"It's as though he doesn't exist anymore."

Prince William’s Taylor Swift Trip Shows He Is ‘Brilliant’ Dad, Friend Says

Plus, King Charles cancels part of his tour Down Under, and why Prince Harry and Queen Camilla’s feud is still blocking a Harry/Charles reunion.

Royalist Correspondent

Senior Editor and Writer

Kensington Palace

Dad dancing.

Prince William’s visit to the Taylor Swift concert with Prince George and Princess Charlotte was “a fantastic illustration of just what a brilliant dad William is,” according to one friend of William and Kate speaking to The Daily Beast.

The friend said: “It’s been an unbelievably difficult year for the entire family. The children have been amazing, and it was a fantastic illustration of just what a brilliant dad William is to see him there .”

The friend added that t he adorable Father’s Day photograph of William and the children jumping off a dune in Norfolk taken by Kate was another sign of William’s devotion to his children. “It’s great to see this side of him publicly,” the friend said.

The visit to the Taylor Swift concert came after the soldiers guarding Buckingham Palace played the tune of “Shake it Off” when changing the guard on Friday.

Why the Harry/Camilla feud is still the issue

The New York Times bestselling royal writer Christopher Andersen has said that he believes there is still significant tension between Prince Harry and his father King Charles over Harry’s attitude to his stepmother Camilla .

Talking to Fox News Digital , Andersen said that Harry still “resents” Camilla and that by saying “some pretty devastating things about her” he had “made it clear that he felt she was the villain in the piece.”

He added, “I think that still bothers the king, and I don’t know that it will be easy for him to [forgive]. I don’t think they’ll ever forgive Harry for that.”

In his book Spare , Harry accused Camilla of ruthlessly scheming to be queen, and selling him out to the media in order to get better press coverage herself in pursuit of that goal.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, at an Invictus Games event

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

In Spare , Harry said Camilla “sacrificed me on her personal PR altar,” and described her as “dangerous.”

In remarks to Anderson Cooper on the show 60 Minutes to promote the book, which is estimated to have made Harry some $27 million , Harry said: “With a family built on hierarchy, and with her on the way to being queen consort, there was going to be people or bodies left in the street.”

The comments by Andersen mesh with The Daily Beast’s understanding of Charles’ anger at his son for publicly attacking his wife.

“Harry has made things very difficult for himself by saying such cruel and hurtful things about Camilla,” one friend of Camilla’s previously told The Daily Beast . “Charles loves his sons, but he also loves his wife. The last few months have made it very clear how important she is; she has been the one propping up the whole edifice.

“Harry has made it very clear, very publicly, that he despises her. He has forced Charles to choose, which was a very silly thing to do because Camilla and he both chose each other a long time ago.

“William had his reservations but he accepted his father’s choice and got on with it. Harry made a different decision, and one of the inevitable consequences of publicly calling your stepmother cruel names is that it becomes difficult for you to see your father.”

Another source, a friend of William and Kate’s, told The Daily Beast recently: “It is hardly surprising that Charles didn’t invite Harry round for tea and a scone. He did, after all, portray his wife as an evil, calculating, bitch in the biggest selling book since the Bible.” [ Spare actually broke records for being the fastest-selling non-fiction book.]

Andersen added: “There is really no foreseeable way in which they’ll ever be welcomed back. Even if Harry was to throw himself at the king’s feet and beg for forgiveness—which Harry is not about to do—the best he could hope for would be crumbs from the royal table, and the sort of grudging acceptance that is currently being afforded to Prince Andrew.”

Charles trip to New Zealand ‘cancelled’

Courtiers at Buckingham Palace have reportedly canceled the New Zealand leg of King Charles’ trip to the southern hemisphere later this year as the monarch continues to battle cancer.

They are, however, remaining hopeful that the king can undertake a modified tour of Australia , and attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government conference in Samoa despite his ongoing fight with the disease.

A source told the Mirror : “Naturally, it will be a bitter disappointment on both sides to not have the opportunity for the king and queen to visit New Zealand, but of course all are aware of the king’s ongoing health and the need for him to pace himself. It’s very much hoped there will be further opportunities in the future.”

King Charles and Queen Camilla before the presentation for the 16:25 Gold Cup at Ascot, June 20, 2024.

Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

The report should be taken seriously as it is typically a few months before these trips that the enormous circle of people involved in the logistics and security for such visits start to get their orders.

The Mirror also reported that the Australian tour is being reduced to six days—including a two day break—followed by the visit to Samoa, which will last three days.

Camilla has been said to have been concerned that Charles’ work rate is endangering his chances of success in his battle against cancer. “She has been trying to encourage him to slow down,” one friend of the queen previously told The Daily Beast. “Of course, he wants to keep cracking on, but she is afraid that doing too much could set him back.”

Windrush tribute

Prince William and Kate Middleton have paid tribute to the “Windrush generation” of Black Britons, whose collective name is taken from those who arrived from the Caribbean in 1948 on board HMT Empire Windrush.

“Celebrating the remarkable contributions of the Windrush Generation today, and every day. Your legacy is a cornerstone of our diverse and vibrant society. Thank you for your resilience, strength and for enriching the nation’s culture and community,” the couple posted on X.

The couple posted their message to mark Windrush Day, which has been celebrated on June 22 since 2018—the same year it emerged that the government had not properly recorded the details of that generation who had been granted permission to stay in the U.K. The Guardian newspaper revealed how brutally and unfairly many had been treated—with deportations and threats of deportation, some being denied medical care, and others having their passports confiscated—all despite living in Britain for so long.

Ascot revels

Well, simply everyone was at the Royal Ascot horse racing-palooza this week, with Prince William having fun with Zara Tindall . King Charles and Queen Camilla waved to the crowds, Charles continuing to fulfill his mission to be seen out in public as much as possible this summer. Princess Anne was there. Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie attended, as did royal power couple Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie . The sight of William with Kate Middleton’s mom, Carole —helping her out when her shoes got stuck in the grass—reminded royal fans how close William had become with Kate’s family over the years.

Prince William, Prince of Wales assists Carole Middleton as she gets the heel of her shoe stuck in the grass on day two of Royal Ascot 2024 at Ascot Racecourse on June 19, 2024 in Ascot, England.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Prince William, Prince of Wales greets Zara Tindall as they attend day two of Royal Ascot 2024 at Ascot Racecourse on June 19, 2024 in Ascot, England.

This week in royal history

On June 24, 1509, the coronation of Henry VIII took place; the coronation of Queen Victoria took place on June 28, 1838.

Unanswered questions

Prince William and Kate Middleton’s return to the public eye continues apace with her birthday picture of him and their kids, jumping at the beach, and his attending of Taylor Swift ’s London gig with Prince George and Princess Charlotte . What next? After the news that his trip Down Under has been modified, how is Charles’ health?

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast  here .

READ THIS LIST

On Royal Visit Day 2, William and Kate Make Friends as They Crisscross Boston

The prince and princess of wales continued their string of public appearances thursday, ahead of friday's earthshot prize award ceremony, by jeff saperstone and michael rosenfield • published december 1, 2022 • updated on december 1, 2022 at 11:47 pm.

Royal fever gripped the Boston area on Thursday as the Prince and Princess of Wales made another day of appearances, visiting innovative local organizations and making friends along the way.

William and Kate are in Boston through Friday for The Earthshot Prize Awards , which are will be presented in a star-studded ceremony Friday at the MGM Music Hall in Fenway. They got a warm welcome from the City of Boston Wednesday evening, then went to the Celtics game at TD Garden with Governor-elect Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

STAY IN THE KNOW

On Thursday morning, a little boy from Somerville stole the show as he got a personal meet-and-greet with the royals thanks to his elaborate King's Guard costume.

"It was crazy!" Henry Dynov Teixeira, 8, recalled afterward, adding. "I wasn't actually that nervous now that I think of it when I actually did it."

The couple had begun their day with a visit to the Greentown Labs startup to learn about their climate innovations. Then they headed to Chelsea to visit Roca Inc. , a non-profit organization that focuses on helping high-risk young people .

Greentown Labs

With the Earthshot Prize aiming to find new solutions to repair the planet's climate, it was only fitting that the Prince and Princess saw firsthand some of the scientific innovation going on in Greater Boston.

Greentown Labs , a startup incubator, works toward "solving the climate crisis through entrepreneurship and collaboration," according to the startup, which said that it was honored to host the Prince and Princess.

Greentown also has a location in Houston. The lab's website describes it as a community for early-stage entrepreneurs, where members pay monthly fees for lab and office space. The startups also get access to staff support, programming, equipment and more.

The lab touts several accomplishments on its website, including having created over 9,000 jobs and incubating over 500 companies.

Want to know what's up for your weekend? Click here to subscribe to our free weekly newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around Boston . (You might even find a few freebies!)

After their stop in Somerville, the royals dropped in to at Roca Inc. in Chelsea. The organization describes its mission as disrupting "incarceration, poverty, and racism by engaging the young adults, police, and systems at the center of urban violence in relationships to address trauma, find hope, and drive change."

Founder Molly Baldwin was surprised by the news of the visit, despite the group's focus on mental health, which is high-priority topic for Will and Kate.

"It’s just a huge gift that will elevate the work," said Baldwin, who is also Roca's CEO, ahead of the visit. "There are young people who struggle to connect with the resources we have in this country and we are so honored."

Afterward, Baldwin said, "On one level you can hardly believe it, here are two of the most famous people in the world coming in the door, but they are human beings with great big hearts."

The Prince and Princess met with leaders of Roca and spent time with women in the young mothers program and men working through trauma that led them to harmful decisions.

Matthew Quinton said the royals were "very understanding, trying to understand us and where we come from."

Roca Inc. focuses on teens and young adults at the center of violence. They collaborate with police, judges, child protective services and other stakeholders to reduce trauma, violence and incarceration. At the same time, the group works to find youth sustainable employment.

PHOTOS: William, Kate Make a Royal Visit to Boston

Harborside walk in east boston.

The last stop on Thursday's schedule was East Boston, where the royals got to see the work that one of last year's Earthshot Prize finalists, Living Seawalls, will be doing.

Living Seawalls installs panels that imitate the ecosystem of a natural shoreline, and the organization is working with the Stone Living Lab — a partnership involving the city, state, UMass Boston and more — to install panels at two sites in Boston Harbor.

William and Kate were joined on their tour of the harbor by Wu.

As word started spreading that the Prince and Princess of Wales were making an unannounced visit to East Boston Thursday afternoon, neighborhood residents headed to Piers Park.

“Everyone in Eastie was talking about it,” said Steph Thomas.

Onlookers climbed the fence to catch a glimpse of their majesties. The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived to a warm welcome.

“She gave me a little wave and I said, 'Welcome to Eastie,'” said Meg Grady. “I think it’s an iconic moment in history, I think we’ll remember in 50 years that we were in Eastie in our home at our time in our lives and we’re so glad that East Boston made it to the list.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)

The crowd hoped to get up close and personal with the future King and Queen of England.

“She flashed us a million dollar smile and then she walked down towards the water,” said Caroline Quinn.

The royal couple -- guided by Wu along Boston Harbor -- wanted to learn about Boston’s challenges when it comes to climate change, rising sea levels, and storm surge -- and what the city is doing to face environmental issues.

“They’re delightful and generous with their time,” Wu said. “We got to spend some chilly but quite educational time together here, walking along the waterfront and talking about the history of so many decades of community advocacy that have led us to this point of prioritizing green.”

When the royal couple left, there was no meet and greet with the crowd but the neighborhood was still thrilled to catch a glimpse of royalty in their own backyard.

“It’s still really exciting because how often are Will and Kate in Boston and how often are they in our neighborhood,” said Thomas. “It feels really surreal.”

Boston Was 'the Obvious Choice'

William — the heir to the British throne — said that Boston was "the obvious choice" to host the second-ever Earthshot Prize Awards, founded by the prince to honor groundbreaking solutions to environmental issues.

It's the home of President John F. Kennedy, whose "moonshot" speech motivated the U.S. to send man to the moon and inspired the prince to sponsor the Earthshot Prize, which aims to find solutions to climate change.

Boston is also "a global leader in science, innovation and boundless ambition," thanks to its universities, researchers and startups, William said. He noted that its leaders are pushing for green policies as well.

"Like President Kennedy, Catherine and I firmly believe that we all have it in ourselves to achieve great things, and that human beings have the ability to lead, innovate and problem solve," he said. "We cannot wait to celebrate the Earthshot Prize finalists later on this week, and we are both looking forward to spending the next few days learning about the innovative ways the people of Massachusetts are tackling climate change."

The royals landed at Boston Logan International Airport Wednesday afternoon on a British Airways flight and were greeted by Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

President Joe Biden will be in Boston on Friday  as well, for a Senate fundraiser. The White House said Thursday that he will meet with William at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum.

Royalty at the Garden

After flying into Logan and discussing climate action with state and city leaders, the Prince and Princess were probably in need of a little R&R.

They headed to TD Garden Wednesday night, and sat courtside to watch the 17-4 Boston Celtics face the Miami Heat in a 2022 Eastern Conference Finals rematch. They sat next to Healey and Wu. And they also met up with Ambassador Caroline Kennedy.

Despite weather delays, Ambassador Caroline Kennedy made it to Boston in time to say hello to @KensingtonRoyal at the Celtics game last night. Countdown to the #EarthshotPrize has begun! pic.twitter.com/kOpVmEKFdO — JFK Library (@JFKLibrary) December 1, 2022

It appeared the royals were ready for the matchup, too: Their official Twitter account posted a photo near the Garden floor about 20 minutes before tip-off.

Let’s go Celtics, let’s go! pic.twitter.com/v9BF2H1V2A — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) December 1, 2022

More royal visit news

Kicking Off Royal Visit, Prince William Addresses ‘Great City of Boston'

‘To the People of Boston, Thank You': Prince William Issues Statement Upon Arrival

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The 4 newest royal caribbean ships.

Explore the newest amenities onboard including surf simulators, fine dining and more.

The Newest Royal Caribbean Ships

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean's highly anticipated Icon of the Seas is set to debut in 2024.

The world's biggest and most ambitious cruise lines never stop building out their fleet of ships, and Royal Caribbean International is no exception. The Florida-based cruise line currently boasts 28 incredible vessels for cruisers of all ages, including the four newest ships that have been added to the fleet since 2021. An even newer ship, Star of the Seas, is also being constructed with a planned launch date during the summer of 2025.

If you're interested in trying out one of the most over-the-top cruise ships sailing the world today, consider Royal Caribbean's newest vessels from the last few years. Read on to learn about the brand-new Icon of the Seas, the jaw-dropping action offered on the Wonder of the Seas, the Utopia of the Seas and the Odyssey of the Seas and all the amenities and unique experiences they have to offer.

Book a Royal Caribbean cruise on GoToSea, a service of U.S. News.

Icon of the Seas

Scheduled to set sail in early 2024, the Icon of the Seas is one of the most celebrated and anticipated new cruise ships across all the major cruise lines. This Icon Class vessel was built to dazzle and entertain cruise passengers of all ages, and it features eight unique neighborhoods, seven pools and the largest waterpark at sea.

In total, Icon of the Seas offers 2,805 individual staterooms with space for 7,600 guests at maximum and 2,350 crew members. The vessel is 1,198 feet long with gross tonnage of 250,800.

• Sails to: The Icon of the Seas will offer alternating seven-night sailings between the Eastern and Western Caribbean. The vessel's Western Caribbean itinerary includes stops at Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, Roatan in Honduras and Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas . The alternative itinerary also stops at the cruise line's private island , as well as Basseterre in St. Kitts and Nevis and Charlotte Amelie in St. Thomas. All itineraries will depart from Miami .
• Cabin types: Cabins on the Icon of the Seas are spread across eight unique neighborhoods with their own themes and amenities. Cruisers will find the basic interior, ocean view and balcony staterooms they would expect. The ship also features 179 suites that vary in size and in terms of their features, with some really spacious and over-the-top options. For example, the vessel's Ultimate Family Townhouse (UL) is more than 1,700 square feet with three stories, a multi-level slide, an outdoor space with a ping pong table and more.
• Dining options: Icon of the Seas offers 11 included dining options plus room service that's available 24/7. There are also nine unique specialty restaurants on board, including options like Izumi Hibachi and Sushi, the Empire Supper Club and Chops Grille Steakhouse. A Starbucks is also available.
• Features: The Icon of the Seas boasts the largest cruise ship pool at sea, as well as seven pools and nine whirlpools in total. There are also six record-breaking waterslides located in what Royal Caribbean says is the largest waterpark at sea. Nightlife and entertainment options run the gamut from the ship's dueling piano bar to its jazz and blues club to its AquaTheater with mesmerizing shows that feature incredible diving feats and acrobatics.

Read: The Top Party Cruises

Utopia of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas is another vessel that is set to debut in 2024 with sailings from Port Canaveral, Florida. This Oasis Class ship will offer up a total of 2,834 guest rooms and is 1,188 feet in length and 236,860 gross tons in size.

The ship has space for 5,668 passengers at double occupancy and eight different neighborhoods with cabins for guests. Interestingly, this huge ship will not offer seven-night sailings throughout the Caribbean and will instead focus on offering three-night and four-night itineraries, at least at first.

• Sails to: The all-new Utopia of the Seas will offer shorter sailings to the Bahamas. The ship's three-night sailings will stop only at the cruise line's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, whereas four-night sailings from Port Canaveral stop at the cruise line's private island and at Nassau, Bahamas.
• Cabin types: The Utopia of the Seas has interior rooms, ocean view rooms and balcony rooms just like other ships. Upgraded room options also abound and include a range of luxury suites at sea. For example, you can book the iconic Ultimate Family Suite, a Solarium Suite with Wraparound Windows, a Royal Loft Suite and more.
• Dining options: There are 10 different included dining experiences on the Utopia of the Seas, with room service also offered 24 hours a day. These include a Main Dining Room experience, several cafe options, a pizzeria, a coastal kitchen with California and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and more. In addition, there are 10 different specialty restaurants that can also be booked on the Utopia of the Seas, and a Starbucks is on board. Special dining experiences include a hibachi and sushi restaurant, a seafood restaurant, a Chef's Table experience for up to 16 diners at a time, a Johnny Rockets and more.
• Features: Utopia of the Seas has everything you would expect in a new Oasis Class ship from Royal Caribbean. For example, passengers will find five huge pools, eight hot tubs, three water slides, 23 different bars and two on-board casinos. Other features include an ice-skating rink, two rock climbing walls, a zip line, a basketball court, two FlowRider Surf simulators and of course the line's famous AquaTheater. Like other Royal Caribbean ships, Utopia of the Seas also features special spaces for kids and teens, including dedicated clubs, an Imagination Studio and an on-board arcade.

Read: The Largest Cruise Ships in the World

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Wonder of the Seas

Sailing the friendly seas since March 2022, the Wonder of the Seas boasts more individual rooms and suites than Icon of the Seas. The Oasis-class ship features 2,867 staterooms with a total guest capacity of 7,084. There are also eight unique neighborhoods for cruisers to choose from, each with its own decor and flair.

This Royal Caribbean vessel is also huge at 1,188 feet long and 235,600 gross tons. A total of 2,204 crew members run the ship and assist guests.

• Sails to: Wonder of the Seas is currently sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida and offers seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. The Eastern itinerary includes stops in Charlotte Amelie, St. Thomas and Phillipsburg, St. Maarten as well as Perfect Day at CocoCay. Meanwhile, the Western loop stops at the cruise line's private island as well as Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico and Roatan, Honduras.
• Cabin types: Wonder of the Seas also offers all the normal cabin types you would expect, including interior rooms, sea view rooms and balcony staterooms. There are also over-the-top suites to choose from, including an Ultimate Family Suite, a Royal Suite, an Owner's Suite and more.
• Dining options: Nine complimentary dining options are included on the Wonder of the Seas, with a main dining room, a buffet option and plenty of other eateries available to grab a bite to eat. There are also 11 unique specialty restaurants on board, including a steakhouse and a seafood restaurant, a Johnny Rockets, a sushi and hibachi restaurant and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar. For coffee lovers, a Starbucks is also on board.
• Features: The Wonder of the Seas has its own Central Park, along with 11 different bars, as well as special kids and teens-only areas like a social club and an arcade. Other notable features include the vessel's AquaTheater, rock-climbing walls, whirlpools, laser tag and more. There are also 19 swimming pools, an ice rink and a casino on the Wonder of the Seas.

Read: The Top Cruises for Teens

Odyssey of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas is a Quantum Ultra Class cruise ship that's smaller than the other newest vessels from the line. The impressive ship completed its first sailing in 2021 when it became the first ship of its class to sail from the United States. Odyssey of the Seas currently departs from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and other ports and offers a range of six-night and seven-night sailings throughout the Caribbean in the coming months.

Up to 4,198 guests can sail on the Odyssey of the Seas with double occupancy, and 1,612 crew members are on board to tend to their every need. The ship is approximately 1,138 feet long and is 167,704 gross tons.

• Sails to: Odyssey of the Seas will depart from various ports in the United States and elsewhere in the world in the coming years. For example, there are upcoming six-night sailings from Fort Lauderdale that include stops in Labadee, Haiti and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic in addition to Perfect Day at CocoCay. The vessel will complete a 14-day transatlantic cruise in April and May of 2024, which begins in Fort Lauderdale and ends in Rome, Italy. From there, the vessel will offer Greek Islands cruises from Rome before moving back to Cape Liberty (New York), New Jersey in the fall of 2024. At that point, itineraries will include stops in Port Canaveral, Florida, Nassau in the Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
• Cabin types: Odyssey of the Seas offers interior staterooms, ocean view rooms and balcony staterooms. Guests can also book interior rooms with a virtual balcony that boasts a floor-to-ceiling virtual view of the outdoors. Over-the-top suites available on the Odyssey include an Owner's Loft Suite, a Royal Loft Suite, a Grand Loft Suite and more.
• Dining options: As a smaller vessel with considerably fewer passengers than Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class and Icon Class ships, Odyssey of the Seas has fewer dining options overall. Guests can dine at seven included eateries including a main dining room, a bistro, a cafe and the main ship buffet. There are also seven specialty restaurants and experiences on board including the Chef's Table, a Chops Grille and a sushi and hibachi restaurant. Like other newer ships from Royal Caribbean, the Odyssey also has its own Starbucks.
• Features: The Odyssey has eight dedicated bars and lounges on board, bumper cars, laser tag, a rock-climbing wall, an outdoor movie screen and a casino, along with kid and teen features like an arcade, a kids' splash area and a social club. A FlowRider surf simulator is on board, as well as a sky diving simulator. Note that the Odyssey of the Seas doesn't have an AquaTheater like Oasis Class ships.

Find a Royal Caribbean cruise on GoToSea.

Look Out for Star of the Seas

Royal Caribbean is already offering limited information about its newest ship, the Star of the Seas. This vessel will also be an Icon Class ship like the Icon of the Seas, meaning it will be big and beautiful with all the bells and whistles.

The Star of the Seas is scheduled to debut in 2025.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a travel expert and content creator who has covered cruises and other family travel for more than a decade. She has cruised dozens of times with most of the major cruise lines and has ventured on itineraries throughout the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to write this article, along with information provided by Royal Caribbean.

You might also be interested in:

• Icon of the Seas Review
• What to Pack for a Cruise
• Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival
• Cruise Line Drink Packages
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

Tags: Travel , Cruises , Royal Caribbean Cruises

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Watch CBS News

Prince William, George and Charlotte attend Taylor Swift's concert in London: "A great evening"

By Lucia Suarez Sang

Updated on: June 22, 2024 / 7:58 PM EDT / CBS News

Prince William ended his birthday celebrations by taking his two oldest children to the Taylor Swift concert in London on Friday night.

The 42-year-old royal , Prince George and Princess Charlotte joined thousands of fans at Wembley Stadium during the first night of the Eras Tour stop in London.

Swift, 34, posed for a selfie with the three royals, as seen in a photograph shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales' official social media accounts.

"Thank you [Taylor Swift] for a great evening," the posts said.

Thank you @taylorswift13 for a great evening! #LondonTSTheErastour pic.twitter.com/NFSi8hAl1o — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 22, 2024

The singer also shared a separate selfie with the royals that also included her boyfriend Travis Kelce.

"Happy Bday M8! London shows are off to a splendid start," she captioned the post.

Happy Bday M8! London shows are off to a splendid start 🇬🇧🇺🇸🤝 @KensingtonRoyal pic.twitter.com/VlD6V0PiEL — Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 22, 2024

According to Kensington Palace, the photos were taken ahead of her concert. Catherine, Princess of Wales, who is undergoing treatment for an unspecified cancer, stayed home with the couple's youngest, Prince Louis.

Princess Kate has remained largely out of the public eye since announcing her diagnosis earlier this year. She made her first public appearance in months on June 15 at the Trooping the Colour parade , the annual celebration that marks King Charles III's official birthday. The event did not signify a return to public duties, with future engagements depending on when she feels able and under the guidance of her medical team, according to the palace. 

Kensington Palace released a new photo of William and his three children Friday to celebrate the future British monarch's 42nd birthday.

The image included the message: "Happy birthday Papa, we all love you so much!" It was signed "Cx," an abbreviation for the Princess of Wales, who's often referred to as Princess Kate.

The palace said the image was taken by Kate in southeast England in May.

Earlier Friday, Swift was welcomed to London by the royal guard when the band played "Shake It Off" in front of Buckingham Palace.

Can't stop, won't stop groovin' 🫡🥁🎺 @BritishArmy | @ArmyInLondon | @CorpsArmyMusic pic.twitter.com/JYrdCaG5gR — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 21, 2024

"Can't stop, won't stop groovin'" the royal family captioned a video of the performance on social media.

• British Royal Family
• Prince William Duke of Cambridge
• Taylor Swift
• Princess Charlotte

Lucia Suarez Sang is an associate managing editor at CBSNews.com. Previously, Lucia was the director of digital content at FOX61 News in Connecticut and has previously written for outlets including FoxNews.com, Fox News Latino and the Rutland Herald.

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