Prince William attends Tusk Conservation Awards solo as Kate pulls out 'due to matter relating to children'

Prince William has attended the annual Tusk Conservation Awards without the Kate Middleton, who pulled out for an undisclosed reason connected to their children.

The Duchess of Cambridge had been due to accompany William to the ceremony in London’s Leicester Square and to a reception for nominees at the National Portrait Gallery.

But a spokeswoman for Kensington Palace said she was no longer able to attend due to an undisclosed matter relating to her children. She declined to comment further, but said the royal couple had met finalists at a tea at the Palace this afternoon.

The duke and duchess have three children, Prince George, six, Princess Charlotte, four, Prince Louis, who is almost 19-months-old.

The event at the Empire Cinema, which is now in its seventh year and hosted by Kate Silverton, celebrates the achievements of conservationists working to protect Africa’s natural heritage.

Speaking before the awards, William said: “Over the years, I have been lucky enough to visit a number of Tusk supported projects all across Africa, most recently in Namibia and Tanzania last year.

“I’ve seen first-hand the hugely important work that people like our finalists do, day-in and day-out, to protect Africa’s wildlife.

“Africa is still on the frontline of conservation. And nothing brings that home more starkly than the sobering roll of honour that we have just seen.

He continued: “These brave men and women lost their lives fighting to protect the natural world. Their tragic deaths are a terrible reminder of the human cost of this issue.

“Tonight we remember their courage and selfless commitment.”

“These conservationists and rangers have lost their lives because Africa remains at the forefront in the battle to end the illegal wildlife trade.”

The duke, who has been Patron of Tusk since 2005, looked dapper as he arrived to cheers and loud drumming from the UK-based Ghanaian band One Drum, stopping to listen alongside Tusk CEO Charlie Mathew and director of programmes Sarah Watson.

The event, now in its seventh year and hosted by Kate Silverton, celebrates the achievements of conservationists working to protect Africa’s natural heritage.

Welcoming the duke to the ceremony, Charlie Mathew said: “From the outset you have taken such a close personal interest in the individuals that we look to recognise each year. I know how much the finalists appreciated meeting you and the Duchess in private earlier today.

“It means a great deal to them that you both care so much about preserving the natural world.”