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Prince William joked that he would try not to ‘wipe myself out in front of everybody’ today as he enjoyed the spectacular views of Cape Town and Table Mountain.
The Prince of Wales went on a walk with Australian conservationist Robert Irwin, 20-year-old son of the late Steve Irwin, on the second day of his visit to South Africa.
William – who is in the country for a four-day visit centred around the Earthshot Prize awards tomorrow – traversed a rocky climb as he walked up Signal Hill and quipped as he spied the waiting media: ‘I’ll try not to wipe myself out in front of everybody.’
The prince also spoke with park rangers, firefighters, mountain rescue volunteers, biodiversity experts and youth volunteers in front of the scenic backdrop.
They told him about the diversity of fauna and flora and the work they do to protect the environment while ensuring residents and tourists are able to enjoy the area.
William, 42, was met upon his arrival by Megan Taplin, park manager for Table Mountain National Park, and they also went on a walk to discuss local biodiversity.
He also met Cape Town City Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Bathandwa Diniso, a youth representative for South Africa National Parks (SANParks) Honorary Rangers.
Along with a group of young people from the Mayine e-Africa group, they together discussed encouraging the importance of getting young people to visit the park.
Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning
The Prince of Wales meets youth conservation volunteers with Robert Irwin (centre right) and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis (second right), during a visit to Signal Hill this morning
Prince William meets Lia the canine ranger who works on Signal Hill in Cape Town
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
Prince William visits Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning as he stands next to Robert Irwin
The Prince of Wales meets youth conservation volunteers with Robert Irwin (centre right) and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis (second right), during a visit to Signal Hill this morning
Prince William visits Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning as he stands next to Robert Irwin
The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today
Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning
The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning
The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today
The Prince of Wales talks to a group of young people from Mayine e-Africa in Cape Town today
Prince William visits Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning as he stands next to Robert Irwin
Robert Irwin, son of the late Steve Irwin, during Prince William’s visit to Signal Hill today
Prince William walks with Robert Irwin and park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
The heir to the throne also continued his theme of wearing sustainable clothing on the four-day visit, and was today sporting a shirt by EcoAlf and a jacket by Rapanui.
Signal Hill is part of the wider Table Mountain National Park and is a biodiversity hotspot thanks to its rare and endangered plants including the unique fynbos.
William asked Ms Taplin: ‘How difficult is it to balance the tourism with the biodiversity and wildlife? All the hard work you guys do makes it look like it does now. Stunning.’
The royal was told that while it is rare for bigger game to come down to the fynbos, which is not particularly nutrient rich, it is a haven for bird and insect life.
‘Well, it’s looking spectacular at the moment,’ he said.
Along the route the prince met several groups of rangers who work to protect the unique biodiversity of the area, as well as hikers and the tourists who visit.
‘What a stunning spot to meet you guys in. Look at this, it’s amazing,’ he said, looking out over the coastline.
Asking about the effects of climate change, William said: ‘And what are you seeing in terms of impact in the park? Are you seeing more flash flooding?
Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning
Prince William walks with Robert Irwin and park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today
Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning
The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today
Prince William visits Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning as he stands next to Robert Irwin
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
The Prince of Wales talks to a group of young people from Mayine e-Africa in Cape Town today
The Prince of Wales arrives for a visit to Signal Hill today as his engagements continue
Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning
Speaking to rangers who now have a team of seven dogs to help them in their work, the prince stopped to hello to Lia, a Dutch Shepherd dog, who was taking advantage of the moment to lie down.
Smiling William said: ‘Take your time, it’s not a problem. That’s how we should all be today. She knows we’re not a threat so she’s taking some zzzs while she can.’
He was told that the dogs are a ‘critical’ part of the team because they have ‘a much better sense of danger than we do’.
Bending down to stroke her head the prince said fondly: ‘Morning, sleepy are we today?’ Lia’s handler said she was ‘very calm’.
The prince was told about Lia’s work protecting abalone, a sea snail prized as a delicacy in the Far East, which are under threat from poaching because they have become so valuable.
William also spoke intently about the work the rangers do, which is often low paid and dangerous. ‘You guys put yourself at risk keeping wildlife and tourists safe,’ he said.
Speaking to a group of volunteer firefighters, he added: ‘What can we do, what technology would be really useful for you guys to stop the fires, especially with the wind up here?
‘Presumably prevention management is better than putting a fire out? How do we help you to work out new solutions?’
He was told that visitors to the area were a ‘soft target’ for criminals because they often carried expensive equipment and the perpetrators could escape easily back into urban areas.
Asked how his trip had been so far, William said: ‘Yesterday was awesome. There was a lot of energy in the room. A lot of solutions.’
He and Irwin also chatted with Mr Hill-Lewis about how ‘amazing’ the surf looked and how ‘cage diving’ with sharks that is popular in the area.
William said he was ‘fascinated’ by the creatures but didn’t appear keen to try it himself, saying: ‘On a boat, maybe, but not in the water. I see great whites on the TV and that’s enough!’
Before posing for a group picture in front of the iconic view of Table Mountain from Signal Hill, the prince spoke to a group of young people from Mayine e-Africa about the importance of encouraging young people to visit the park.
‘How do you feel about being in the outdoor and nature?’ William asked. ‘Do you want to be rangers when you grow up? It’s beautiful out here, look after it guys.’
Later, the prince will have a high-level meeting with South Africa’s president as he continues his visit to the Commonwealth nation.
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
Prince William visits Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning as he stands next to Robert Irwin
Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning
The Prince of Wales talks to a group of young people from Mayine e-Africa in Cape Town today
Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning
The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today
Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today
Prince William visits Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning as he stands next to Robert Irwin
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today
Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
William’s audience with Cyril Ramaphosa has been described as a ‘follow-up’ to the state visit made to the UK by Mr Ramaphosa in 2022.
The prince will also give a major speech on nature, the environment and his support for wildlife rangers at the start of a two-day summit for United for Wildlife, his umbrella organisation combating the illegal trafficking of animals.
The future king began a four-day visit to Cape Town yesterday and during the coming days will take part in a series of events shining a light on young African climate activists and promoting his Earthshot Prize awards ceremony.
Dubbed the prince’s ‘Super Bowl‘ moment, the prize-giving event tomorrow will recognise environmental solutions to ‘repair’ the planet, with five category winners each receiving £1million to ‘scale up’ their plans.
The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today
The Prince of Wales talks to a group of young people from Mayine e-Africa in Cape Town today
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today
Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
The Prince of Wales talks to a group of young people from Mayine e-Africa in Cape Town today
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
Prince William visits Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning as he stands next to Robert Irwin
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
The Prince of Wales talks to a group of young people from Mayine e-Africa in Cape Town today
The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today
A general view from Signal Hill in Cape Town today ahead of Prince William’s engagement
A general view from Signal Hill in Cape Town today ahead of Prince William’s engagement
A general view from Signal Hill in Cape Town today ahead of Prince William’s engagement
A general view from Signal Hill in Cape Town today ahead of Prince William’s engagement
The prince and the president will sit down for talks later and be joined by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, in the country for a meeting with his South African counterpart Ronald Lamola.
Antony Phillipson, Britain’s high commissioner to South Africa, said about the royal visit: ‘I would just highlight that we are actually delighted to have the Prince of Wales here this week for Earthshot week, and we will be taking the opportunity of doing some bilateral events with him, and for him.’
He added: ‘We very much see this as a follow-up to the state visit … which we continue to see here as a very historic moment between the UK and South Africa.’
William will also attend Earthshot+, a day of conversations with world-leading experts aimed at enhancing the impact of the Earthshot Prize, with the event featuring a young environmentalist, an Earthshot trustee and Mr Lammy, among others.
