Celebrities to join UK's Prince William in Brazil for Earthshot Prize

LONDON (Reuters) -Pop star Kylie Minogue and former Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel will be among celebrities joining Britain's Prince William for the next month's awards ceremony in Brazil for his multi-million dollar environmental prize.

The British heir to the throne launched the Earthshot Prize in 2020 with the aim of finding innovative solutions to pressing environmental problems. This year's winners will be announced at a star-studded event to be held in Rio de Janeiro on November 5.

Among performers on the night will be Brazilian musicians Gilberto Gil, Seu Jorge and Anitta, along with Canadian pop singer Shawn Mendes and Minogue - who was recently picked out by William's father King Charles as an artist whose music brings him joy, organisers said on Wednesday.

The event will be hosted by Brazilian TV presenter Luciano Huck and other presenters will include gymnast Rebeca Andrade, Brazil's most decorated Olympian, Brazil's most capped soccer player Cafu, and four-times F1 world champion Vettel.

The German driver, who had become increasingly outspoken about the environment and sustainability, saying climate change had made him question his job, retired in 2022.

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"With two weeks to go, we are thrilled to announce the support of global artists, performers, and exceptional Brazilian talent, joining us in Rio," Earthshot's chief executive Jason Knauf said.

As well as announcing details of the awards night, organisers released a "Meet the World's True Action Heroes" trailer which was voiced by Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey.

The goal of Earthshot is to find innovations to combat climate and other green issues, and awards five winners 1 million pounds ($1.3 million) each to drive their projects.

This year's ceremony will be held shortly before the UN climate summit COP30 which is also being held in Brazil, which William will attend in place of his father, who has campaigned on environmental issues for more than five decades.

(Reporting by Michael HoldenEditing by Ros Russell)