Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle will plunge into darkness for Earth Hour tonight as the royal family continues its public duties amid a series of health crises.
The Princess of Wales announced yesterday that she has cancer in an unprecedented video address shared on the royal family’s X account.
But today the official feed returned once again to focus on the day-to-day work of the institution, urging the public to join royal landmarks by switching off non-essential lights from 8.30pm to 9.30pm tonight.
The initiative is organized by the charity World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to call for action to save the planet.
It aims to highlight the impact humans are having on the planet through climate change, pollution, plastics and food production.
The Royal Family’s post on X announcing that it is participating in Earth Hour tonight
Sitting on a bench in Windsor, surrounded by spring flowers, the Princess of Wales has taken the extraordinary step of revealing to the world that she has cancer
Windsor Castle will also switch off non-essential lights tonight to mark WWF’s Earth Hour
Charles in particular is passionate about environmental issues, and is pictured here addressing Cop28 in Dubai
Other landmarks that go dark on the hour include the Barbican Arts Centre, the Old Bailey, Tower Bridge and the OXO Tower.
King Charles in particular is known for his focus on environmental issues and will certainly support the event.
Meanwhile, Prince William has continued with public duties over the past few weeks despite Kate’s cancer diagnosis following an operation in January.
He was cheered on Tuesday during a visit to Sheffield – where he spoke to families who have experienced homelessness.
The heir to the throne spoke warmly to well-wishers who were unaware of his wife’s diagnosis at the time.
In previous weeks, he has also been seen visiting a synagogue in London, where he held the hand of Holocaust survivor Renee Salt, 94.
And on St David’s Day – March 1 – William visited the famous Turf Pub in Wrexham – where he chatted with Wrexham AFC’s Hollywood owner Rob McElhenney.
The meeting place will be familiar to viewers of the Disney+ ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ series.
Seoul, South Korea plunges into darkness as it marks Earth Hour today
Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, marking Earth Hour 2024
In a televised address last night, Kate revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing successful gastric bypass surgery in January.
The princess is now on what has been described as a ‘recovery pathway’ after starting a course of chemotherapy at the end of February.
It is for this reason that William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece.
The future queen revealed that she and her husband have been focusing on their children during this difficult time.
The Prince of Wales visited Sheffield on Tuesday – part of his ambition to eliminate homelessness
William with Wrexham AFC chairman Rob McElhenney (left) and Wrexham AFC chief executive Humphrey Ker during a visit to The Turf pub on March 1
Prince William shakes the hand of Renee Salt, 94, a Holocaust survivor, during a visit to the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in London on February 29
She said: ‘But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them and to reassure them that I will be fine.
‘As I have told them; I feel good and get stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirit.
‘Having William by my side is also a great source of comfort and reassurance.
‘Like the love, support and kindness shown by so many of you. It means so much to both of us.’