The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were among the senior UK royals to join a dinner reception for world leaders at <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/europe/what-is-cop26-the-crucial-glasgow-climate-change-summit-and-why-it-matters-1.1222912" target="_blank">Cop26</a> on Monday. Attendees at Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum watched a pre-recorded video message from Queen Elizabeth, who was <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/uk-news/2021/10/26/uks-queen-elizabeth-returns-to-work-after-hospital-stay/" target="_blank">unable to attend the climate summit for health reasons</a>. Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, were at the reception, as was UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson who hosted the evening after arriving with other guests on an electric bus. Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was also in attendance. Earlier in the day, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited scouts in one of their first engagements at Cop26 in Glasgow. The royal couple attended Alexandra Park Sports Hub in Dennistoun, in the city's East End, to meet scouts and learn about the group's #PromiseToThePlanet campaign. They joined children throwing wildflower seed bombs on to a bank to rewild it. They were hosted by Lewis Howe, 12, one of the 26 #OneStepGreener ambassadors announced by the UK government. The ambassadors have been chosen because the work they do goes above and beyond what is needed to address climate change. Through scouting, Lewis has been taking positive action by encouraging schools in Scotland to reduce waste by using surplus food to create meals for those in need using environmentally friendly packaging. The couple discussed his work with him and undertook activities that demonstrate how scouting is helping to equip young people with the skills to tackle climate change. Lewis is part of the Laurencekirk Scout Group in north-east Scotland and has been working with politicians to challenge every secondary school in Scotland to reduce food waste. The royal couple were also told about the work scouts around the world have been doing as part of the group's #PromiseToThePlanet campaign, which is raising awareness of the consequences of climate change and encouraging individual and collective action. The Duchess of Cambridge is joint president of the Scout Association alongside Edward, Duke of Kent. Earlier, the Duke of Cambridge tweeted that he was excited to showcase the work of the Earthshot Prize winners and said he was "hopeful" about what could be achieved. "It is a landmark moment for the future of our planet – I am proud that our <a href="https://twitter.com/EarthshotPrize">@EarthshotPrize</a> finalists will be joining me in Glasgow to show the world that there is reason to be optimistic," he tweeted. "I am hopeful about what can be achieved." William<a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/2021/10/17/winners-of-prince-williams-earthshot-prize-announced-at-star-studded-ceremony/" target="_blank"> launched the Earthshot Prize this year</a>, under which five finalists receive a £1 million ($1.18m) grant towards their environmental work.
