Prince William and his wife Kate began Wednesday in Boston, their first visit to the United States in eight years, coinciding with controversy in Britain sparked by a new racist incident at Buckingham Palace.
A former aide to Queen Elizabeth II resigned after a brunette British philanthropist repeatedly asked about her origins during a reception at Buckingham Palace, causing a scandal that overshadowed William and Kate’s first visit abroad since the queen’s death on September 8, reports a local Arabic daily.
“Racism has no place in our society,” said William’s spokesman in Boston, even before the arrival of Kate and William, whose visit is an opportunity to polish the image of the British throne after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
In an indication of the importance of this trip to the British monarchy and its former American colony, the White House announced that President Joe Biden will go on Friday to “say hello to the Prince and Princess of Wales” in the historic city of Boston, a symbol of British colonialism before the revolution and American independence at the end of the eighteenth century.
“For our first visit abroad since my grandmother’s death, I want to thank the people of Massachusetts and Boston in particular for honoring the late Queen on so many occasions,” William said at Boston Airport. She remembered with great emotion her visit to the city on the bicentenary (of the revolution) in 1976.
The visit culminates in the organization of the second edition of the Earthshot Award, which was established by Prince William in 2020 to support innovative solutions aimed at improving the climate situation in the world. Five prizes, each worth £1 million (€1.16 million), will be distributed in five categories.
A group of stars is expected to attend this occasion at MG Hall “M Music Hall” in Boston, including singers Billie Eilish and Annie Lennox, Chloe X Haley and Ellie Goulding, and actor Rami Malek. David Attenborough, presenter of environmental programs and the famous British writer, as well as actress Cate Blanchett, will participate in the party, as happened last year.
This is Prince William’s first visit abroad since he became heir apparent after his father ascended the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8. King Charles III named him Prince of Wales, and Kate became Princess of Wales.
During their visit, William and Kate will have to adjust to the shadow of Harry and Meghan, who are more popular in the United States than they are in Britain.