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Prince William<\/a>\u00a0has big plans during his short trip to New York City. On Monday, the 41-year-old Prince of Wales arrived stateside to attend the second Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit and carry out additional meetings and events linked to The Earthshot Prize.<\/span><\/p>\n “I think this is a very positive trip for Prince William, and most importantly, really establishes him as a statesman on the world stage,” royal expert Katie Nicholl told ET. “What we’re seeing here is William lobbying for something he’s passionate about — protecting and saving the planet — but also showing off what we call this soft power, the ability of the royals to really lobby politicians and change makers.”<\/span><\/p>\n William hit the ground running on Monday, visiting the <\/span>Billion Oyster Project<\/a> on Governors Island, which is restoring oyster reefs to New York Harbor in collaboration with New York City communities.<\/span><\/p>\n The royal also paid a visit to the United Nations, meeting with\u00a0U.N. Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres.<\/span><\/p>\n While William is busy in the Big Apple, his wife, <\/span>Kate Middleton<\/a>, is “carrying out her own engagements” in the U.K., Nicholl said.<\/span><\/p>\n “This is a fleeting visit, and the couple tend not to travel abroad together unless they have to, because, of course, they’re juggling childcare and <\/span>schooling for three children<\/a>,” Nicholl said of <\/span>Prince George<\/a>, 10, <\/span>Princess Charlotte<\/a>, 8, and <\/span>Prince Louis<\/a>, 5. “This is William’s project… This summit was something that William planned to always do on his own.”<\/span><\/p>\n Though William’s brother, <\/span>Prince Harry<\/a>, now calls the U.S. home, the siblings won’t be reunited during this trip.<\/span><\/p>\n “This is the second time that William’s been in America in a year, and, of course, with America being Harry’s new home you might expect there to have been some sort of a visit. Alas, it’s not going to happen,” Nicholl said. “… There are no plans for the brothers to meet while they are in the same country. I think any chance of a reconciliation, for now, is some time off. My understanding is that <\/span>the brothers are barely speaking<\/a>.”<\/span><\/p>\n