The Prince of Wales was in high spirits as he hosted the thirteenth annual Tusk Conservation Awards at London's prestigious Savoy Hotel. Prince William, the Royal Patron of the charity, was photographed laughing and joking with guests, including Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and his wife, Sally.
A Decade of Celebrating Conservation Heroes
Prince William helped to launch these awards back in 2013 to honour his deep passion for global conservation. For over a decade, the ceremony has recognised the work of dedicated, forward-thinking individuals who are conservation leaders and wildlife rangers across Africa.
Since their inception, the awards have been a significant force for good. Sixty-one winners have received over £2 million in grants for their organisations. This funding has allowed them to scale up their vital work, leading to improved protection for more than 60 species.
An Evening of Celebration and Recognition
Upon arriving at the event, the Prince cut a smart figure in a blue suit as he mingled with patrons and supporters. The evening's schedule included Prince William meeting key Tusk ambassadors and the award winners themselves.
The ceremony was bookended by performances from the London Assembly Gospel Choir. His Royal Highness personally presented three major awards: the Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa, The Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa, and the Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award. Each winner received a trophy and a significant grant to help continue their organisation's crucial work.
The Lasting Impact of Tusk's Mission
Following the awards presentation, Prince William delivered a short speech. His commitment to the cause is long-standing, and earlier this year he released the docuseries Guardians, which shone a spotlight on individuals at the forefront of wildlife protection.
The charity Tusk has a clear vision: a united Africa where people and wildlife co-exist and thrive. To achieve this, it accelerates the impact of African-driven conservation. Since 1990, Tusk has generated over £130 million to support more than 250 local partner organisations and ranger teams across more than 25 African countries, empowering the continent's entire conservation movement.
