Rami Malek highlights 1 ‘extraordinary’ aspect of Prince William’s environmental awards

BOSTON — Rami Malek had nothing but praise for Prince William’s stance on sustainability at the Earthshot Prize Awards in Massachusetts on Friday night.

The Oscar winner – who has attended numerous awards shows – told HuffPost why the Prince of Wales’ focus on a consciously produced show was so “extraordinary” for him.

“It makes you think about everything you do, [like] how you got here,’ he said. Guests were encouraged to travel to the show with a low carbon footprint, which was intentionally within walking distance of many Boston spots.

“We all reuse our outfits, which is something you don’t typically see in our industry,” Malek added with a laugh and a smile. “I appreciate that. It’s been very well considered and well thought out and hopefully influences the way we go about our everyday lives.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales speak with actor Rami Malek backstage following Friday’s Earthshot Prize Awards in Boston.

Samir Hussein via Getty Images

Presenters and hosts were brought to the ceremony in electric vehicles, which was conducted by local crews to avoid British staff flying in. The makeup used for the event was vegan and cruelty-free, while the food was plant-based. There were no disposable plastics.

Instead of the typical red runner, guests instead arrived on a green carpet, which was reused by the 2021 Earthshot Prize Awards and recycled after the event. Attendees were encouraged to re-wear outfits or source something vintage or sustainable for the ceremony (which is why Kate Middleton’s decision to rent a $91 dress was right on topic).

All of the enduring touches — plus recognition of the five Earthshot Award winners honored for their efforts to save the planet — made for an evening that Malek said meant the world to him.

“I appreciate what Prince William is doing,” Malek said, adding that ecological decline is the “greatest crisis of our lives.”

“With these innovators being recognized tonight, we really can make the biggest change. It’s easy to think of as pessimistic gloom and doom, and Earthshot has made it their mission to turn it on its head and say, ‘Let’s inspire people.’”

Malek speaks to HuffPost on Friday at the Earthshot Prize Awards being held at MGM Music Hall in Fenway.

Boston Globe via Getty Images

“Let’s find the best solutions we can to save this planet because when you think about everything that’s going on in the world – and all the crises – this is the biggest we’ve ever faced will live,” added the actor. “And hopefully we can find a way to beat it. I know we can.”

Earlier on Friday, the Prince of Wales published an exclusive essay for HuffPost in which he discussed why he remains a “stubborn optimist” about Earth’s future.

“Bloody predictions about our natural world are not the only page of this story, and they need not be our future,” the king wrote. “In this critical decade, I invite you all to be optimistic, support the game changers and believe in the power of human ingenuity.”