Prince William has unveiled the 15 finalists vying for the prestigious £1 million Earthshot Prize, which he founded in 2010 to spotlight groundbreaking solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. 

Among the finalists are innovators behind an earthquake-resilient brick with 75 percent lower carbon emissions than traditional clay bricks, a group credited with saving the saiga antelope from extinction, and a company transforming crop waste into a sustainable leather alternative.

“These finalists are leading the way in solving some of the most urgent environmental challenges,” William said. 

“Today, we celebrate the incredible achievement, unwavering dedication, and urgent optimism that drives our fourth class of Earthshot innovators.” 

The winners will be announced at the Prize Awards Ceremony in Cape Town on November 6.

William has praised the finalist calling their passion “a testament to what can be achieved when we tap into the enormous creativity, ingenuity, and optimism of communities around the world.” 

They were revealed at the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit during Climate Week in New York, though William was notably absent due to commitments in the UK.

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg, a global advisor to Earthshot Prize winners, addressed the event. 

Prince William’s former private secretary, Simon Case, is under mounting pressure to resign from his position in the British government amid accusations of media leaks. 

While largely unknown to American audiences, Case’s name carries weight among dedicated followers of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle due to his past role at Kensington Palace. 

He served as Prince William’s most senior aide during the period when tensions between the brothers began to escalate and was also the recipient of an infamous email accusing Meghan of bullying.

Now, Case finds himself in the spotlight once again, facing allegations of leaking information to the press. 

However, the Cabinet Office has firmly denied the claims, calling them “categorically untrue.” 

The unfolding saga surrounding Simon Case, Prince William’s former private secretary, is likely to resonate in Montecito, California, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle now reside. 

The controversy ties back to a pivotal moment detailed in Harry’s memoir, Spare, in which he passionately defended Meghan against allegations of bullying.

In 2018, Meghan was accused of driving two personal assistants out of the royal household and making life difficult for a third. 

These accusations were outlined in an internal email sent by Jason Knauf, then Kensington Palace communications secretary, to Simon Case, who was serving as William’s top aide. 

This connection has cemented Case’s place in the minds of Sussex supporters, who believe the palace was orchestrating a campaign against Harry and Meghan.

With his now facing his own set of allegations, rumors of media leaks have further fueled suspicions among those convinced that the Sussexes were unfairly targeted by palace insiders.

James Middleton delighted fans on Tuesday by sharing an adorable new photo of his 11-month-old son, Inigo. 

The entrepreneur proudly posted the cover of his exclusive interview with HELLO! magazine on social media, showcasing a sweet moment with baby Inigo’s tiny hand resting among a spread of magazines.

In his heartfelt caption, he hinted at future family plans, saying, “So, more dogs, more children? Yes – the pitter-patter of two or four feet,” he smiled, adding, “But who knows which will come first?”

During his interview, Middleton discussed his recent collaboration with HELLO! at a local Dogs Trust center, where he expressed his excitement about becoming an ambassador for the organization.

In the charming photo shared by him, the paw of one of his six beloved dogs can also be spotted, likely belonging to either Mabel or Isla.

He opened up about his new book, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, while also touching on family matters. 

The proud father welcomed his son Inigo with his stunning wife, Alizée Thevenet, back in October, and he also shares his life with six furry companions: Zulu, Inka, Luna, Mabel, Nala, and Isla.

Dua Lipa has confidently addressed the backlash she faced regarding her dance moves after winning the prestigious Best Choreography award for her music video Houdini at the MTV Video Music Awards. 

During an appearance on The Project on Tuesday night, host Sarah Harris brought up the singer’s recent triumph, directly referencing the social media trolls who had previously criticized her dance skills.

“You’ve got a brand new album, performed on SNL, and your film clip Houdini won Best Choreography at the VMAs. That really must have felt like a big F-you to all those internet haters,” Harris remarked.

The singer responded with grace and maturity, acknowledging that while the online criticism once hurt, she has since moved past it.

“You know what, I try not to even think about that anymore because I feel like so much time has passed since then, and so much work has been done,” Dua said with a smile. 

“But it’s really a beautiful award to get, and to feel so, I guess, accomplished in a way, and confident.”

Back in 2017, a clip of Dua dancing on stage during a concert went viral, with fans humorously comparing her movements to a pencil in a “pencil sharpener.” 

Reflecting on her journey since that initial backlash early in her career, the British-Albanian singer expressed gratitude for her growth.

“It took a little while to get there, so I’m very, very happy,” she admitted. 

“For me, being able to do a whole music video, just me on my own, and having the confidence to do that, feels amazing.”