King Charles III, has opened up a water and climate reception at Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom.
The star-studded gathering includes Ghana’s football legend Michael Essien and his wife, Ghanaian businesswoman and philanthropist Akosua Puni Essien.
Other guests present at the August event included British entrepreneur Matthew Freud and sportsman/fitness expert, Paul Olima, amongst others.
The Water and Climate Reception, graced by His Majesty the King, was part of a series of events planned to rally support for WaterAid’s activities.
Paralympian Ellie Simmonds; actors Archie Panjabi, Samantha Barks, and Ariyon Bakare; TV presenters Vick Hope, Angellica Bell and Ade Adepitan; fitness coach Joe Wicks; TikTok sensation Big Manny; designer Dame Zandra Rhodes; and comedian Shaparak Khorsandi were among the guests who joined WaterAid UK for the Water and Climate Reception hosted by His Majesty the King.
According to a press release, H. M. the King, who is WaterAid UK’s patron, brought together these high-profile guests, young leaders, and decision-makers to drive attention and action on climate change and water.
Across the world, 703 million people—almost one in ten—don’t have clean water close to home, and climate change is making the situation worse, with more extreme floods and droughts threatening water sources.
At the start of the event at Buckingham Palace, The King joined Ung Rong Phaltevy, a young climate activist from Cambodia, in the iconic East Gallery to experience an immersive installation that brought to life the critical issue that the climate crisis is a water crisis and that ultimately, change starts with water.
At COP 28, held in December 2023, His Majesty The King said this: “I have seen across the Commonwealth, and beyond, countless communities which are unable to withstand repeated shocks, whose lives and livelihoods are laid waste by climate change.
“In 2050 our grandchildren won’t be asking what we said; they will be living with the consequences of what we did or didn’t do. If we act together to safeguard our precious planet, the welfare of humanity will surely follow.”
Tim Wainwright, Chief Executive, WaterAid, during his address said: “We are deeply honoured and grateful for the unwavering support His Majesty has given WaterAid as our Patron and for hosting this landmark event to help drive forward our mission.
“Adapting to climate change starts with clean water. If we don’t address the water and climate crisis now, young people of today will face the consequences in years to come. But with reliable clean water, communities can stay healthy, recover from disasters, and build a brighter, more resilient future for all.”
In advance of the reception, three pivotal roundtables were held at St James’s Palace, engaging young activists, private sector leaders, and global political leaders to share insights and develop innovative solutions for tackling the water and climate crisis.
Activist Ung Rong Phaltevy said: “Committing to tackling the climate crisis is essential for our existence. With the world at a tipping point, the time is now for action on water and climate. Our young leaders’ roundtable today highlighted that urgent, collective action is needed – and it is an honour to be at Buckingham Palace to discuss our ideas and insights with His Majesty this evening. You could feel the energy and passion in this room – together, we must harness this and make change.”
Paralympic swimmer and WaterAid Ambassador Ellie Simmonds OBE, who has supported WaterAid since 2014 after seeing the charity’s work in Uganda, said: “Water is everything to me. It was my career, my passion. And for all of us, water means life. When I visited Uganda with WaterAid, I saw the life-changing difference clean water has on whole communities. It was so inspiring to attend the reception at Buckingham Palace and meet people working together to create a world where everyone has this essential.”
Emmy award-winning actor Archie Panjabi, best known for her roles in The Good Wife and Departure, said: “Globally, women and girls spend an estimated 200 million hours every day collecting water, forcing them to miss out on valuable opportunities. Having clean water close to home keeps girls in school and adults at work, helping to build thriving communities and a fairer world. It’s one thing that changes everything.”
Actor and singer Samantha Barks, best known for her roles in Les Misérables and Frozen, saw how clean water can change lives when she visited Madagascar with WaterAid. She said: “It’s easy for us to take clean water for granted, but millions of families around the world don’t have access to this basic human right, and the climate crisis is making it worse. I have been able to witness the incredible work WaterAid does first-hand, and they are an incredible organisation. The reception highlighted how ensuring everyone everywhere has clean water helps build a better future for all.”
Fitness coach Joe Wicks MBE said: “Clean water is the foundation of good health, and staying hydrated keeps us strong, but millions of people live without this vital resource. It was an honour to attend the event at Buckingham Palace and to be part of highlighting this important issue.”
Actor and WaterAid Ambassador Ariyon Bakare, who has visited WaterAid’s work in Lagos in his father’s homeland, Nigeria, gave a welcome speech at the reception, saying: “I’d like to thank His Majesty The King for hosting this Water and Climate Reception and for helping to put this vital issue in the spotlight. Clean water is an issue I’ve always been passionate about; it’s a basic human right, and without it, nothing can flourish or thrive.”
Addressing those in the room, he added: “We need your help to galvanise people across the world to work together to bring clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene to everyone, everywhere, whatever the weather.”
During the reception, His Majesty the King heard about the outcome of the roundtables from attendees, including young climate activists such as footballer Lesein Mutunkei from Kenya and social media personality Dr Vee Kativhu from Zimbabwe.
