Prince William and Kate Middleton visit Northern Ireland

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Kate and William’s visit to the US will be “especially significant” given the interest in climate change and the Sussexes break from royal life, according to a commentator. The visit will be the couple’s first time back in the States in eight years.

With their new titles, the Prince and Princess of Wales are set for a number of engagements in the coming months. However, drawing significant attention is the couple’s attendance at the Earthshot Prize ceremony in Boston.

Prince William, 40, started the initiative in 2020. It aims to promote impactful approaches to the world’s most pressing environmental problems.

Following the Sussexes decision to step back from duties as senior working royals in 2020, the Firm’s popularity has taken a hit in the United States, according to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams.

Mr Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: “There’s no doubt at all, the popularity of the monarchy has been affected by the fact that the Sussexes stepped down as senior working members of the Royal Family because, regrettably, as we know – not only did the situation not work out – the parting was acrimonious, ending in [the] Oprah [interview] which was harmful to the Royals.”

However, Americans have always had a special connection with the monarchy, something which became especially evident following the death of Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

Mr Fitzwilliams added: “Of course there is tremendous respect, admiration and affection in the United States for the Queen – sadly we’ve been reminded of that recently with her passing.”

The Queen’s death made headlines around the world. Tributes poured in for Her Late Majesty from heads of state, including US President Joe Biden, who attended the funeral on September 19.

With that in mind, the visit of Kate, 40, and William to the Earthshot Prize ceremony in Boston on December 2 is likely to be “especially significant”.

Not only could the couple – a favourite among Royal watching Americans – help to improve the Firm’s popularity in the US, the visit will also focus on an issue likely at the forefront of the minds of many Americans – climate change.

US President Joe Biden has said that Hurricane Ian, which wrought devastation in parts of Florida, “ends [the] discussion” on whether action was needed over climate change. More powerful storms and more frequent wildfires have ravaged parts of the US in recent years.

Mr Fitzwilliams said: “I think William and Catherine going to the United States in December for the Earthshot Prize will be of significance given the interest in the environment and climate change.

“Any visit by the Prince and Princess of Wales is likely to be pretty big, but there is no doubt that since the [the rift between] Sussexes and the Royal Family any Royal link with the United States is especially significant.

“Hopefully the rift might be resolved but one has to take into account the possibility that it might not.”

There continues to be a problem, especially among young people, with the Royal Family’s popularity in the US since the break, according to Mr Fitzwilliams.

However, a visit to the States by William and Kate, highlighting the couple’s ambition to tackle global issues like climate change, could go a long way with young Americans.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were last in the US in 2014 when they visited New York. Their first visit to the country as a couple was in 2011.

Prince William was set to attend the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in the Big Apple last month, but had to cancel following the death of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II. He sent a video message to the summit two days after the monarch’s funeral.

He said: “Although it is the saddest of circumstances that means I cannot join you in person today, I am pleased to join you in video form as you gather in New York for the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit.

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“During this time of grief, I take great comfort in your continued enthusiasm, optimism and commitment to the Earthshot Prize and what we are trying to achieve.”

Princess Anne has been in New York City this week where she has kept a relatively low profile. The Princess Royal, 72, was spotted on a Staten Island Ferry to the delight of fans on social media.

Mr Fitzwilliams claimed the visit by the senior Royal was also significant, highlighting the connection between the Firm and the American public.

He said: “It’s in this connection – that the sort of low key visit with several engagements that the Princess Royal undertook is significant. Obviously it’s not high profile, and that’s her choice but equally it’s highly respected.”

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