The Prince of Wales appeared to reveal his admiration for Taylor Swift during the Tusk Conservation Awards at London's Savoy Hotel on Monday night. Speaking with Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, William hinted that he would join the band on tour if Swift were also present.
Ronnie Wood, 76, recounted their conversation: 'We were talking about the tour and I said "come on, you've got to come out on tour" and we were talking about the new album and everything. William said [he would] if we could get Taylor Swift there.' The guitarist told the Prince that Swift had performed with Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger, to which William replied: 'I'm there then.'
William previously met Swift in 2013, when she pulled him on stage to sing 'Livin' On A Prayer' with Jon Bon Jovi at a charity fundraiser. Reflecting on the experience in 2021, William said: 'Beneath my black tie, there was a lot of sweating going on. I felt like a swan, where I was trying to keep myself composed on the outside, but inside, the little legs are paddling fast.'
The Prince of Wales has been patron of Tusk since 2005 and helped launch the annual awards in 2013 to recognise conservation leaders protecting Africa's wildlife and habitats. Since then, 55 leaders from 20 countries have been honoured.
In his speech, William highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on Africa: 'Those living in Africa emit just a quarter of the emissions than that of the average global citizen, yet the African continent is set to incur disproportionate loss and damage from climate change.' He added: 'But we do have the power to change this and the stories we have heard tonight provide both optimism and hope.'
