The future King, Prince William, brought laughter and glamour to The Savoy Hotel in London on Wednesday night, hosting the prestigious 2025 Tusk Conservation Awards. As royal patron of the Tusk Trust wildlife charity, the Prince of Wales presided over the annual event which honours leading conservationists and rangers dedicated to safeguarding Africa's natural heritage.
A Royal Evening of Celebration and Laughter
The evening saw Prince William sharing a particularly warm and humorous moment with Rolling Stones legend Ronnie Wood, 78, and his wife, theatre producer Sally Wood, 47. The royal told the guitarist, who serves as a trust ambassador, that he was "one of the longest-serving ambassadors of the trust", sending the couple into fits of giggles.
Ronnie Wood certainly made a style statement for the occasion, turning heads in a festive red velvet jacket and skinny black trousers covered in glitter. His wife Sally complemented his bold look with an air of sophistication in a green sequinned gown that highlighted her figure.
Sally Wood revealed a charming personal tradition, telling Prince William that she and Ronnie have been sending Easter chocolates to the Prince and his family for approximately five years.
Family Favourites and Conservation Champions
The gathering soon expanded to include fellow Tusk ambassador John Cleese and his wife Jennifer Wade. Prince William shared an amusing family anecdote with the comedy icon, informing him that his children had recently discovered the classic 1970s sitcom Fawlty Towers and had become ardent fans.
"My children have just discovered Fawlty Towers, they literally love it, we've been having a lot of family laughs," the Duke of Cambridge told Cleese. He added that watching the show together allowed him to "reminisce" and "relive" the beloved series "all over again with the children watching – it's brilliant".
John Cleese, 86, who co-wrote and starred in the BBC series as the frantic hotelier Basil Fawlty, expressed his delight at the news.
A Urgent Call for Conservation Action
Amid the celebrity encounters and light-hearted moments, the serious purpose of the evening remained paramount. In a powerful speech to guests, Prince William delivered a stark warning about the urgency of conservation efforts.
"My visit to Brazil earlier this month for the Earthshot Prize and for Cop30 reinforced my sense of urgency," he stated. "It reminded me that when we unite behind a shared purpose, we can accelerate solutions that make both people and planet healthier."
The Prince highlighted the particular vulnerability of the Congo Basin rainforest, Africa's second-largest rainforest, which faces increasing threats from human exploitation.
He issued a compelling call to action: "We must not be the generation that stands by as wildlife and biodiversity disappears. What we choose to do will have an impact on future generations and tonight we must choose to do more."
Prince William hailed the Tusk award winners for their "personal sacrifice and a life-long dedication to protecting Africa's natural world, often carried out in the face of what must feel like insurmountable challenges".
Celebrating Conservation Excellence
The ceremony honoured several outstanding individuals for their conservation work:
- Laban Mwangi, a head ranger working in Kenya, was named Tusk Wildlife Ranger 2025.
- Rahima Njaidi received The Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa for establishing a Tanzanian community-led forest conservation network.
- Kumara Wakjira was presented with the Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa for his significant work in Ethiopia.
The royal was joined at the event by his cousins Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall, along with Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer, the nieces of his late mother, Princess Diana. Other notable guests included Dragon's Den star Deborah Meaden and Ceawlin Thynn, 8th Marquess of Bath, with his wife Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath.
