Prince William gets surprise compliment from Steve Irwin's son as he opens up about kids

Robert Irwin, the son of the late Australian conservationist Steve Irwin, joined Prince William for a chat and picturesque stroll in the shadow of Cape Town's Table Mountain in South Africa today

Prince William has been praised by world leading conservationists for "leading with a sense of positivity" with his Earthshot Prize awards.

Robert Irwin, son of the late Australian conservationist and television personality Steve Irwin, told how William's environmental project was bringing hope to the next generation. William joined Robert, who runs the world famous Australia Zoo, and park rangers along a scenic walk in the shadow of the iconic Table Mountain to admire the beauty and biodiversity of Cape Town today.

The royal was on local landmark Signal Hill, part of the wider Table Mountain National Park and recognised as one of the world's most remarkable natural attractions, to meet rangers and conservationists. Signal Hill is a Cape Floral Kingdom World Heritage Site, boasting rare and endangered plants including the unique fynbos.

Robert, who is also an Earthshot Prize Global Ambassador, said of his meeting with the prince: "You can instantly tell that passion the rangers and volunteers have here on the ground here at Signal Hill rubs off on everyone.

"You just can't help but fall in love with this place. Prince William, myself and everyone here have certainly fallen in love with Cape Town. It’s a beautiful location and the conservation work is being done here, it just fills my heart with hope.

"I really loved having a conversation with Prince William about the importance of support for rangers. They are on the front line of conservation and you have to remember that these days conservation can be a dangerous business.

"And it's really nice to know that Prince William is ensuring rangers are valued and they get the resources and the support they need. Very encouraging steps in the right direction. It's great that William is putting himself behind this. Protecting the environment is about protecting people too."

The Prince of Wales later revealed his children regularly quiz him about his love of African wildlife as he visited one of the continent's most picturesque spots. When William was asked about his favourite African animal during a trek to the top of Cape Town's Signal Hill, he replied the cheetah, the world's fastest land animal.

Referring to the prince's Earthshot Prize he said: "I think Prince William's idea behind Earthshot is fantastic. For the first time we have an environmental movement on a scale we have never seen before. And it’s putting money where it is needed most and leading with a sense of positivity. It’s the beacon, it’s this light we can all strive towards.

"We can absolutely address the big issues we are facing globally but we are also rewarding the innovations and celebrating the great work being done. And it makes a very hopeful atmosphere that young people can grow up in." As he traversed a rocky climb which offered spectacular views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean coastline, William joked as he spied the media in attendance: "I’ll try not to wipe myself out in front of everybody!"

Dressed in a eco-friendly shirt by EcoAlf and jacket by Rapanui, was accompanied by Megan Taplin, Park Manager for Table Mountain National Park. "How difficult is it to balance the tourism with the biodiversity and wildlife?" he asked her. "All the hard work you guys do makes it look like it does now. Stunning."

He was told while it is rare for bigger game to come down to the fynbos, which is not particularly nutrient rich, it is a haven for bird and insect life. "Well it’s looking spectacular at the moment," he said.

Ranger Meghan also spoke of her delight at William's visit, saying: "It was really important to raise global awareness of the conservation issues that are being faced and the important role our national parks play in preserving the unique biodiversity in all different areas of the world, and particularly here. It was also great for Prince William to meet our rangers and hear about the work they do and the challenges they face on a daily basis.

"They face a lot of challenges in law enforcement and combating environmental crime here on Table Mountain. We also deal with a lot of visitors' safety. Abalone poaching is an organised crime network and they deal with this on a daily basis.

"I think Prince William was really struck by the biodiversity here. We were talking about the diversity of skills our rangers need when tackling the challenges here. I think he was very impressed by the dedicated work they are putting in. I hope he comes and brings his family back here. I wish had longer time together to go hiking up the mountain. But I am sure he will come back and bring his family."

Later, William changed from the sustainable causal outfit he wore for the walk up Signal Hill, a shirt by EcoAlf and jacket by Rapanui, to a suit, shirt and tie for his meeting with South Africa's president, Cyril Ramaphosa.

The two men met at the entrance of Mr Ramaphosa's official residence in Cape Town, but when they posed for pictures on steps leading to the garden, they were asked by the press to greet each other again and the president joked "another handshake" and shook hands with his guest. Also at the meeting was Foreign Secretary David Lammy, in the country for a meeting with his South African counterpart, Ronald Lamola.

After that William then hailed the "breathtaking ideas" of young environmentalists as he spoke on a panel at Earthshot+. Wearing a tie made from plastic bottles by Circ x Wilmok, one of last year’s Earthshot finalists, William said he has “hope and optimism” that young people will repair our planet and urged those present to invest in their ideas.

He spoke warmly of the 120 youngsters participating in the inaugural Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme that he met today and said: "The energy and the enthusiasm and the brilliance in that room was spectacular." He added: “"he breadth of knowledge, the energy, the solutions they’ve got and the ideas that they have is breathtaking and we just need to hear more of them. This is what the Earthshot prize is about: to give them that platform.”

William went on to explain that his global environmental award “isn’t just a prize” - it’s about scale and impact as he went on to explain the so-called “dating service” that Earthshot launched last year. The prince explained that Launchpad connect funders with current and former finalists. "Collaboration is key," he said. "To put people in one big melting point - sparks will fly."