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Prince and Princess of Wales finish 3-day Boston trip with Earthshot awards

Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales visited the United States for the first time in eight years with a three-day trip to Boston.

The royal couple focused their attention on their Earthshot Prize for environmental innovators Friday night. Prince William said he was inspired by JFK's "Moonshot" speech to create a decade of action and collaboration to combat climate change. 

 

Earthshot Prize Awards

Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, hosted The Earthshot Prize Awards at MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston. 

Prince William and Catherine
Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales attend the Earthshot Prize 2022 at MGM Music Hall at Fenway on December 02, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. Mike Coppola / Getty Images
The Earthshot Prize Awards
Prince of Wales William and Princess of Wales Kate make their entrance at The Earthshot Prize Awards, held at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway. David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
The Earthshot Prize 2022 - Ceremony
Prince William, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and David Beckham speak backstage after The Earthshot Prize 2022 at MGM Music Hall at Fenway on December 02, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.  Samir Hussein/WireImage
Prince William
Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales, speak with US singer Chloe Bailey, after attending the second annual Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony at the MGM Music Hall in Boston, Massachusetts on December 2, 2022. BRIAN SNYDER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The Earthshot Prize 2022 - Ceremony
Prince William, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Rami Malek speak backstage after The Earthshot Prize 2022 at MGM Music Hall at Fenway on December 02, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage) Samir Hussein
Prince William and Princess Catherine arrive at The Earthshot Prize Awards 02:27
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Bostonians inspired by Earthshot Prize

WBZ-TV's Juli McDonald spoke with people who attended The Earthshot Prize Awards hosted by the Prince and Princess of Wales in Boston.

Bostonians inspired by royal couple's Earthshot Prize Awards 02:48
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Inside look at The Earthshot Prize Awards

WBZ-TV's Paula Ebben was inside the MGM Music Hall at Fenway for The Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony with the royal couple. She is joined by royal expert Shannon Felton Spence with for an inside look at the star-studded event.

Inside look at The Earthshot Prize Awards 05:27
Star-studded Earthshot Prize Awards hosted by Prince of Wales in Boston 02:35
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Heavy traffic amid Biden, royals visit

Traffic was at a standstill on I-93 Friday evening, with President Biden in Dorchester and the royals heading to the Earthshot Prize awards near Fenway Park.

Earlier this week, AAA predicted traffic on Friday would be "royally difficult."

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Traffic at a standstill on I-93 CBS Boston
By WBZ-News Staff
 

President Biden arrives in Boston

President Joe Biden arrived in Boston just before 2:30 p.m. on Friday. He was scheduled to briefly meet with Prince William in the afternoon. 

Biden and Prince William shook hands outside the JFK Library.     

Biden later attended a fundraising event at the IBEW Local 103 hall.

President Biden lands in Boston ahead of meeting with Prince William 07:03
The Prince And Princess Of Wales Visit Boston - Day 3
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 02: Prince William, Prince of Wales meets with US President Joe Biden at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum on December 02, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Prince and Princess of Wales are visiting the coastal city of Boston to attend the second annual Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony, an event which celebrates those whose work is helping to repair the planet. During their trip, which will last for three days, the royal couple will learn about the environmental challenges Boston faces as well as meeting those who are combating the effects of climate change in the area. / Getty Images
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Prince William meets Caroline Kennedy at JFK Library

Former President John F. Kennedy's daughter Caroline welcomed Prince William to the Kennedy Library in Dorchester Friday afternoon.

Kennedy, the U.S. Ambassador to Australia, was joined by her daughter Tatiana Schlossberg and son Jack Schlossberg when the prince arrived.  

The Prince And Princess Of Wales Visit Boston - Day 3
Prince William met with Caroline Kennedy, her daughter Tatiana Schlossberg and son Jack Schlossberg at the JFK Library in Dorchester, December 2, 2022.   Chris Jackson / Getty Images

William got a private tour of the library, had lunch and then will meet with President Joe Biden there.

The Prince And Princess Of Wales Visit Boston - Day 3
Prince William is shown around the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by Ambassador Caroline Kennedy on December 2, 2022 in Dorchester. Photo by Ian Vogler - Pool/Getty Images
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Princess Catherine visits Harvard

Catherine, Princess of Wales, waved to the crowd as she arrived at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University in Cambridge Friday morning.

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Princess Catherine at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University in Cambridge on December 2, 2022. CJ GUNTHER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

After leaving the center, she took some time to talk to several people, even commenting about how cold it was on Thursday.

Read more here.

By WBZ-News Staff
 

David Beckham joining royals in Boston

There's been a late addition to the list of celebrities attending the Earthshot awards ceremony at the MGM Music Hall Friday night.

British soccer legend David Beckham will be there to present an award, according to a spokesperson for the Prince and Princess of Wales. 

The spokesperson told WBZ-TV Beckham's equally famous wife, fashion designer Victoria Beckham, known to many as Posh Spice of the Spice Girls, will not be in Boston.

By WBZ-News Staff
 

Behind the scenes with the royals at the MGM Music Hall

The Prince and Princess of Wales released these behind the scenes photos Friday of their rehearsal at the MGM Music Hall Thursday evening for the Earthshot awards ceremony.

The Earthshot Prize 2022 - Rehearsal
Catherine, Princess of Wales walks onto the stage during rehearsals for the Earthshot Awards at MGM Music Hall on December 1, 2022 in Boston. Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Earthshot
The Earthshot Prize 2022 - Rehearsal
Prince William at rehearsals for the Earthshot Awards at MGM Music Hall at Fenway on December 1, 2022 in Boston, Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Earthshot
The Earthshot Prize 2022 - Rehearsal
A sign back stage at the MGM Music Hall on December 1, 2022 in Boston. Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Earthshot
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Prince William, Princess Catherine to visit JFK Library, Harvard before Earthshot awards

The Prince and Princess of Wales will finish their three-day visit to Boston Friday with visits to the John F. Kennedy presidential library, Harvard University and the MGM Music Hall for the Earthshot awards.

Prince William will meet with President Biden at the JFK Library in Dorchester while Princess Catherine will be at Harvard's Center on the Developing Child in Cambridge.

The royal couple will then attend the Earthshot Prize ceremony at MGM Music Hall on Lansdowne Street in Boston for the global environmental prizes that William launched two years ago.

Five winners will get $1.2 million each for their work in nature protection, clean air, ocean revival, waste elimination and climate change.

Billie Eilish, Annie Lennox, Ellie Goulding, Chloe x Halle, Rami Malek, Catherine O'Hara, and Shailene Woodley will all be part of the event.

By WBZ-News Staff
 

Busy second day in Boston

On Thursday, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, made several trips around Greater Boston, learning about emerging climate technology. 

Prince and Princess of Wales make several stops on busy second day in Boston 03:14
By WBZ-News Staff
 

"A piece of history"

For Prince William and Princess Catherine, Thursday was about facetime with locals, and it was evident that their fanbase spans all generations. 

There were a sea of admirers at stops in Somerville and Chelsea

Royal fans excited to meet Prince William, Princess Catherine in Chelsea, Somerville 03:20
By WBZ-News Staff
 

A visit to Boston Harbor

The royal couple made their way to East Boston to Piers Park for a first-hand look at the climate challenges facing Boston Harbor.

They were greeted by Mayor Michelle Wu and Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, who is the city's chief of environment, energy and open space. 

Wu told reporters after it was a "chilly but quite educational time" for the royals along the waterfront. They talked about prioritizing climate resilience and the technologies Boston will be implementing to protect the shoreline.

"The Prince and Princess of Wales were so interested in the details of how do we actually implement this and do it fast," she said.

Prince and Princess of Wales visit Boston Harbor Defense 03:46
By WBZ-News Staff
 

"History in the making," Prince and Princess of Wales meet the crowd in Chelsea

People flocked to Roca in Chelsea Thursday afternoon to get a look at the Prince and Princess of Wales after their visit there.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales shook hands with several people in the crowd outside Roca in Chelsea, December 1, 2022. CBS Boston
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The Prince and Princess of Wales talked to a family at Roca in Chelsea, December 1, 2022. CBS Boston
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A sign greeting the Prince and Princess of Wales in Chelsea, December 1, 2022. CBS Boston
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Boy dressed as King's Guard member meets royal couple in Somerville

The little boy named Henry, who had been waiting patiently for hours in the cold outside Greentown Labs in Somerville Thursday, was finally able to meet the Prince and Princess of Wales.

He gave the royal couple a bouquet of flowers, saluted and chatted with them briefly before they left for their next stop in Chelsea.

Read more here.

The Prince And Princess Of Wales Visit Boston - Day 2
Henry Duinov-Teixeira meets the Prince and Princess of Wales in Somerville, Massachusetts, December 1, 2022. Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage
The Prince And Princess Of Wales Visit Boston - Day 2
Henry Duinov-Teixeira meets the Prince and Princess of Wales in Somerville, Massachusetts, December 1, 2022. Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Crowd waits hours for brief glimpse of Prince and Princess of Wales in Somerville

A large crowd waited in the cold for hours Thursday morning to catch a very short sighting of the Prince and Princess of Wales as they arrived in Somerville for a tour of Greentown Labs.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales inside Greentown Labs in Somerville, December 1, 2022. CBS Boston
The Prince And Princess Of Wales Visit Boston - Day 2
Catherine, Princess of Wales arrives for her visit to Greentown Labs in Somerville, Massachusetts, December 1, 2022. Chris Jackson / Getty Images
By WBZ-News Staff
 

"A lot of hoopla"

As the royal couple made their way to East Boston, not everyone in the neighborhood was starstruck by their visit. 

Not all Bostonians starstruck by Prince William, Princess Catherine 02:14
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Crowd gathers in Somerville ahead of royal visit

People lined up outside Greentown Labs in Somerville Thursday morning to get a glimpse of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

One boy dressed up a member of the The King's Guard hoping to get the royal couple's attention.

By WBZ-News Staff
 

Visits to Somerville, Chelsea

After spending their first night in Boston at the Four Seasons on Boylston Street, the Prince and Princess of Wales will head to Somerville and Chelsea on Thursday.

Prince William and Princess Catherine will start the second day of their Massachusetts trip with a visit to Greentown Labs in Somerville. They're expected to stay there for about an hour before moving on to the non-profit Roca in Chelsea.

Anyone in those areas should expect traffic delays. 

By WBZ-News Staff
 

Prince and Princess of Wales attend Boston Celtics game

The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the Boston Celtics game against the Miami Heat at TD Garden Wednesday night. There was a nod to The Earthshot Prize, when 15-year-old climate activist Ollie Perrault was honored as a "Hero Among Us."

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Mayor of Boston Michelle Wu, Governor-elect Maura Healey, Britain's Prince William, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Emilia Fazzalari and her husband Celtics owner Wyc Grousebeck watch Jaylen Brown play during the National Basketball Association game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat at TD Garden in downtown Boston,on November 30, 2022. BRIAN SNYDER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The Prince And Princess Of Wales Visit Boston - Day 1
The Prince and Princess of Wales posed for a photo with Celtics fans at TD Garden on November 30, 2022. Pool / Getty Images
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Prince William speaks at Boston City Hall

Prince William addressed a large crowd at Boston City Hall on the first day of his trip to the city. He spoke about the Earthshot Prize Awards and why he picked Boston to host the ceremony. Princess Catherine helped illuminate City Hall in green.

Prince William speaks at Boston City Hall 04:18
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Mayor Wu greets Prince and Princess of Wales

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu greeted Prince William and Princess Catherine at City Hall.

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Mayor of Boston Michell Wu (R), her sons Blaise and Cass and husband Conor Perwarski (L) chat with Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, in her office at Boston City Hall in Boston, Massachusetts, on November 30, 2022. REBA SALDANHA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Royal couple arrives at Logan Airport on commercial flight

Passengers on the same flight said it was exciting to travel with Prince William and Princess Catherine, who chose to fly to the Earthshot Prize Awards on a commercial flight. Passengers said the couple was relaxed and pleasant.

Royal couple land at Logan Airport on commercial flight from London 02:39
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Why the royal visit to Boston is such a big deal

WBZ-TV's Paula Ebben and royal expert Shannon Felton Spence discuss why Prince William and Princess Catherine chose Boston as their first overseas visit since the queen's death.

Royal Expert says royal visit to Boston is a big deal 03:50
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Boston Mayor Wu stresses Boston's commitment to going green as she welcomes Royals

"Boston is fundamentally a city of problem solvers," Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said as she welcomed Prince William and Princess Catherine to Boston. She stressed Boston's commitment "to being the greenest city in the country."

Boston Mayor Wu stresses Boston's commitment to going green as she welcomes Royals 05:34
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Governor-elect Maura Healey welcomes Prince and Princess of Wales to Boston

Governor-elect welcomed Prince William and Princess Catherine to Boston at City Hall Plaza amid cheers from the crowd, telling the couple, "We are absolutely ecstatic, so excited and delighted, that you are here with us this evening, that you are here with us this week." 

Governor-elect Maura Healey welcomes Prince and Princess to Boston 09:16
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Going green

Several Boston landmarks will be lit up in green starting Wednesday night in recognition of the Earthshot Prize Awards. 

They are:

  • City Hall
  • JFK Library
  • 100 Federal Street
  • Atlantic Wharf
  • The Hub on Causeway
  • Bolling Building
  • Government Center
  • UMass Boston Integrated Science Complex
  • One Financial Center
  • Rose Kennedy Greenway
  • Center Plaza
  • John Hancock
  • Shubert Theater
  • Wang Theater
  • Museum of Science
  • TD Garden
  • Zakim Bridge (Thursday night)
  • Longfellow Bridge (Thursday night)
City Hall green light
(From L) Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Governor-elect of Massachusetts Maura Healey and Mayor Michelle Wu after pressing a button to light city hall green for the Welcome to Earthshot ceremony at City Hall Plaza in Boston, Massachusetts, on November 30, 2022. ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
By WBZ-News Staff
 

President Biden to greet royals during Boston visit

President Joe Biden will greet Prince William and Princess Catherine during a Friday trip to Boston, the White House announced.

The White House said Tuesday that Biden would be coming to Boston, but initially did not mention events with the royals.

On Wednesday, the Biden administration updated that the president plans to greet the prince and princess. Biden will be in Boston to "participate in a reception for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee."

By WBZ-News Staff
 

"Utterly delightful" airplane chat

By Tiffany Chan
 

First photos of the prince and princess in Boston

We're getting our first look at Prince William and Princess Catherine of Wales as they arrive in Boston. The royal couple met with Gov. Charlie Baker upon landing at Logan Airport. 

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Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, arrive at Boston Logan International Airport on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, in Boston.  John Tlumacki / AP
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Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, are welcomed by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker on their arrival to Boston Logan International Airport on November 30, 2022. JOHN TLUMACKI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The Prince And Princess Of Wales Visit Boston - Day 1
Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales arrive at Logan International Airport on November 30, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.  Chris Jackson / Getty Images
By WBZ-News Staff
 

VIDEO: Prince William and Princess Catherine land in Boston

Prince William and Princess Catherine have landed in Boston.

The Prince of Wales said in a statement:

"Catherine and I are delighted to be back in the United States and are extremely grateful to Governor Baker and The First Lady of Massachusetts for their warm welcome into Boston.

"On this, our first overseas visit since the death of my grandmother, I would like to thank the people of Massachusetts and particularly of Boston for their many tributes paid to the late Queen. She remembered her 1976 bicentennial visit with great fondness.

"My grandmother was one of life's optimists. And so am I. That is why last year we launched the Earthshot Prize with the ambition to create a truly global platform to inspire hope and urgent optimism as we look to save the future of our planet.

"To the people of Boston, thank you. I'm so grateful to you for allowing us to host the second year of the Earthshot prize in your great city. Catherine and I can't wait to meet many of you in the days ahead."

Prince William and Princess Catherine arrive at Logan Airport 01:58
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Boston traffic could be "royally difficult"

Boston traffic could be "royally difficult" this week with a prince, princess and president coming to town. 

AAA says there is "the potential for significant traffic disruptions and road closures," and drivers should plan ahead.

Click here to read more. 

By WBZ-News Staff
 

Public welcome at Boston City Hall for royal visit

It's going to rain and it will be windy, but the public is invited to Boston City Hall Plaza to catch a glimpse of the Prince and Princess of Wales around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

By WBZ-News Staff
 

Expect tight security in Boston rest of the week

With the royal couple in town the rest of the week and President Biden coming to Boston Friday, expect security to be tight the next few days.

By WBZ-News Staff
 

Excitement growing at City Hall Plaza

Excitement grows at City Hall Plaza ahead of Prince William and Princess Catherine's royal visit 02:01

An expected rainy evening is going to dampen excitement for Wednesday's royal visit.

A high school senior from Syracuse has been waiting on City Hall Plaza since around 8 a.m. after arriving the day before.

"I'm a huge, huge fan of the royal family," said Courtney Calkins, wearing a raincoat identical to Princess Catherine's.  

By Anna Meiler
 

Union Jack flying at Boston City Hall

By Anna Meiler
 

All hands on deck security plan

Boston City Hall and the Fenway area are among several stops on the agenda for Prince William and Princess Catherine's three-day trip. Security analyst and former Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis said the State Department and Boston Police will have all hands on deck

Tight security in Boston for visits by royal couple, President Biden 02:35
All hands on deck security plan for royal visit to Boston 02:24
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Final preparations in place for Prince and Princess of Wales

Prince William and Princess Catherine will arrive in Boston on Wednesday afternoon.

Boston prepares for arrival of Prince William and Princess Catherine 03:06
By WBZ-News Staff
 

Somerville's Greentown Labs hopes Prince William, Princess Kate leave "inspired"

"So exciting for us," Greentown Labs in Somerville hopes to inspire Prince William, Princess Kate 02:09

Greentown Labs in Somerville is home to more than 200 climate tech startups working on solutions for some of the biggest climate challenges.  It's also one of the stops Prince William and Princess Kate will make during their Boston visit. 

"They're meeting with five of our startups that are working to deploy technologies that align with the sectors they're focused on. So, think about cleaning the air, reviving the oceans, fixing the climate," said Julia Travaglini, senior vice president of marketing and communications,

By WBZ-News Staff
 

Royal expert explains significance of Boston visit

Royal Expert: Boston visit for Prince and Princess of Wales proves strategic importance of the US 03:04

Royal expert Shannon Spence said, "I think this is really a test trip for them. They are really trying to see how well and warmly they will be received in America as they take on these bigger titles. So I think in Boston they are going to be doing a lot of public temperature taking, that's why we're seeing such a diverse set of engagements." 

By WBZ-News Staff
 

Prince William and Princess Kate announce details of Boston visit

Details have been released about the schedule the Prince and Princess of Wales will follow during their time in Boston. 

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CBS Boston

Wednesday: 
4:30 p.m.: Welcome ceremony at City Hall with Mayor Michelle Wu

Thursday: 
10:30 a.m.: Visit to Greentown Labs
12:00 p.m.: Visit to Roca Inc. 

Friday: 
11:15 a.m.: Princess Catherine visits Harvard
12:15 p.m.: Prince William visit JFK Library and Museum
4:45 p.m.: Earthshot Prize Awards at MGM Music Hall

Read here for more details

By WBZ-News Staff
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