It marks the start of a brand-new chapter. At a global gathering for his United for Wildlife non-profit, Prince William gave his first speech as the heir apparent to the British throne, paying tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Speaking at London’s Science Museum, the prince of Wales addressed 300 global leaders from the private sector, philanthropists, and conservation organizations, as well as law enforcement representatives, who had all gathered to tackle the critical issue of wildlife crime around the world.
He also praised the wildlife advocacy first championed by his father, King Charles III, and late grandfather, Prince Philip.
“Our natural world is one of our greatest assets,” he said. “It is a lesson I learned from a young age, from my father and grandfather, both committed naturalists in their own right, and also from my much-missed grandmother, who cared so much for the natural world. In times of loss, it is a comfort to honour those we miss through the work we do. I take great comfort from the progress we are making to end the illegal wildlife trade.”
Illegal wildlife trafficking and poaching has long been at the forefront of Prince William’s work. Since launching the nonprofit in 2012, William, in his role as president, has overseen efforts to convene leading wildlife charities to create a global movement with the aim of bringing an end to issues such as the rapid escalation of the illegal wildlife trade and why it must be addressed as a serious organized crime.
“It is, of course, a difficult mission that we commit ourselves to,” he said at the Oct. 4 summit. “The challenges often cited in fighting wildlife crime include the lack of a coordinated international response … the lack of strong criminal justice … corruption and insufficient resources. But we set out to reverse that.”
“We set out to ensure that those involved in wildlife crime face an international response as powerful and coordinated as any other serious and organised crime,” he said. “To bring their sinister operations out of the shadows and to ensure that communities are equipped, empowered, and supported to protect themselves and their natural world. And everyone here is playing a significant role in helping us do so.”