Prince William’s ‘unstoppable’ momentum and the ‘moral compass’ guiding his next chapter (Exclusive)

From the Earthshot Prize to the emotional Remembrance Sunday, Prince William’s busy week between Brazil and London told the same story in two acts: a future king protecting the future and celebrating the past.

“He leaves Rio with a renewed sense of optimism about what Earthshot can deliver. We are seeing the impact that Earthshot finalists are having and the momentum feels truly unstoppable,” a Palace source told PEOPLE this week.

The 43-year-old Prince of Wales led the Earthshot Mission onto the world stage in Rio de Janeiro last week, November 5th, and he left more excited than ever.

After flying to Brazil to receive the Earthshot Prize, a global environmental award he launched in 2020 to focus on solutions to the planet’s biggest challenges, William spent his days with innovators, world leaders and young activists, championing action over ritual and hope over class.

“He has a very authentic voice,” Stephanie Al Kirk, the British ambassador to Brazil, tells PEOPLE. “He’s ready to step into that space.”

Jacinda Ardern, former New Zealand Prime Minister and Earthshot board member, added: “He’s been pretty consistent: ‘How can we do more? How can we scale up? How can we better support our finalists?'”

The heir to the throne also demonstrated the stability that characterized him through a tumultuous season for the royal family.

On October 30, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince William’s uncle, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, will be stripped of his title as prince and expelled from the Royal Lodge, where he has long lived in Windsor, amid renewed attention over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The decision highlights that the future of the monarchy is increasingly focused on William and his next generation.

“William has a strong personal core,” says a source close to him, as does his wife Kate Middleton. The official added that together they embody values ​​such as “homeostasis, consistency, stability and a safe place where the state reaches out.”

Prince William, who represented his father King Charles at the COP30 climate change conference on November 6, also focused on safeguarding the future of the royal family. A few weeks ago, the family was facing the aftermath of her uncle’s royal scandal. Although William fully supported his father’s decision, some believe he pushed for the closure sooner and more forcefully.

“There was pressure from Prince William, who didn’t want to pass on headaches,” said a source close to the royal family.

A palace insider added: “He will want to deal with it as soon as possible.”

The same force spread forcefully across the Atlantic. In Rio, William’s environmental cause took on unmistakable strength. From the Sugarloaf Summit to Copacabana Beach, the Prince of Wales acted less as a royal guest and more as a champion of the world.

“He’s a door opener,” says Runa Khan, founder of Friendship, a nonprofit that supports climate-affected communities in Bangladesh, and an Earthshot recipient.

On November 6, he brought that energy to Belem for the COP30 summit of world leaders. Stepping off the plane with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (who had also attended the previous night’s Earthshot Awards), he looked home among politicians and heads of state.

Following in his father’s footsteps in climate change advocacy, William delivered his speech in his own empathetic style, reminiscent of his late mother, Princess Diana, who made a landmark visit to the country in 1991.

On his way to a final meeting with Indigenous leaders, he stopped his motorcade to take selfies and shake hands with the crowd while shouting “William, William”.

The royal family remained engaged even when her estranged brother Prince Harry suddenly announced he would be traveling to Canada for a series of memorial events, catching royal aides by surprise even though Harry’s team said they had been informed.

Despite his family’s turmoil, William departs from Brazil, encouraged by the progress of the Earthshot Prize. As of March 2025, Earthshot Prize finalists have saved, reused or recycled 2.4 billion gallons of water, reducing 10 billion pounds of water. of CO2.

He continued to attract attention after returning to Britain to mark Remembrance Day, the most solemn day in the royal calendar.

Reflecting quietly at the Cenotaph in London on November 9, Prince William displayed the unwavering resolve of a man whose “moral compass” is set “true north,” according to a friend.

Above him, Princess Kate watched calmly and calmly from the balcony of the Foreign Office. This moment of tradition commemorated those lost in wars past and recent, and reflected the rebirth of the Royal Family.

The couple, along with their children Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, have just moved into their new forever home at Forest Lodge in Windsor, marking the beginning of a new chapter after a difficult few years, including Kate’s cancer diagnosis. (The Princess of Wales, 43, announced in March 2024 that she was undergoing treatment for cancer and said in January that she was in remission.)

Elsewhere during the Remembrance Weekend, Duchess Kate attended a Remembrance Festival with George, making her surprise debut at the emotional annual event on November 8, highlighting the generational shift already underway. While William returned from Brazil, his son was taking his first steps into royal duties at home.

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to stay up to date on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, and more!

Palace insiders say Prince William and Duchess Kate are taking a “slow game” approach, introducing their son to royal duties as they see fit.