The Prince and Princess of Wales made a grand entrance into the TD Garden Stadium, joining a crowd of 20,000 basketball enthusiasts to support the Boston Celtics and raise awareness for the prestigious Earthshot Prize awards during their inaugural day in the city.
William and Kate were escorted courtside to witness the game, seated alongside the Celtics’ owners W.I.C.
Grousbeck and Emilia Fasolari, as well as Governor-elect Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
The princess exuded elegance in a vintage blue tweed jacket by Chanel paired with sleek black dress pants, while the prince sported a sophisticated look in a dark suit and chambray shirt.
Together, they stood proudly for the rendition of the national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, performed by a talented singer from season 10 of The Voice.
Despite a warm welcome, the royal couple encountered scattered pockets of boos around the arena as they were introduced by the stadium announcer and displayed on the jumbotron.
The Boston Celtics draw their name from the original Celtics, a renowned basketball team established by Irish immigrants in New York in the early 20th century before disbanding in 1930.
As the prince and princess appeared on the large screens above the court, echoing chants of “USA, USA” reverberated through the excited crowd, showcasing their enthusiastic support.
Amidst the spirited atmosphere, the royal duo maintained their composure, engaging with fans, capturing moments with photographs, and enthusiastically backing their favored team throughout the high-energy match against the Miami Heat in downtown Boston.
Before tip-off, William and Kate interacted with members of the Celtics family, including representatives from the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, dedicated to offering essential resources and funding to local organizations catering to vulnerable or disadvantaged demographics.
The arena was aglow with green hues from digital advertising boards promoting the Earthshot Prize, treating spectators to a captivating promotional video highlighting the significance of the awards.
As the game reached halftime with a tied score of 47-all, the royal couple observed as the Celtics honored a local hero, an integral part of their tradition recognizing individuals making positive contributions to the community.
Ollie Pero, a 15-year-old climate advocate from East Hampton, Massachusetts, received accolades from the crowd for her remarkable efforts within the Youth Climate Leadership Program since the age of 11.
Now serving as the founder and director of Youth Climate Action Mill, Ollie is dedicated to championing environmental justice, advocating for systemic change across various sectors, and encouraging youth involvement in direct climate action.
