'Batted Alright': Prince William Stops Traffic Outside Buckingham Palace for a Cricket Match

Prince William turned The Mall outside Buckingham Palace into a temporary cricket pitch on Tuesday, 13 October, halting traffic on one of London's best-known routes for an informal match promoting The Earthshot Prize. The Prince of Wales was joined by former India captain Sourav Ganguly, West Indies great Brian Lara and England cricketer Joe Root, according to reports.

For context, The Mall is better known for royal processions and ceremonial occasions than for cricket. Yet against the palace's familiar backdrop, William picked up a bat and faced a series of gentle deliveries from Ganguly, before posing for photographs with onlookers.

The game was staged ahead of The Earthshot Prize's 2026 summit and awards ceremony in Mumbai, scheduled for 16 and 17 November. The prize's official website says the Awards Night will take place on 17 November, when five winners will each receive £1 million.

William, 44, wore a shirt and sweater as he batted during the informal game. It was reported that he struck several shots off Ganguly's bowling and chatted with spectators who had gathered to watch.

Ganguly offered a brief assessment of the Prince's efforts. The former India captain said William 'batted alright.'

It was a light review from a man who captained India and knows precisely what a good innings looks like. Whether William would want a longer verdict from a nets session is another matter.

The gathering also brought together prominent figures from international cricket. Reuters identified Ganguly, Lara and Root among the current and former players taking part, while the event was held to promote William's Earthshot climate prize.

Root appeared to enjoy the unusual setting. 'There are some wonderful backdrops in cricket but none quite like Buckingham Palace,' he said, according to The Independent.

Why the Mall Became a Cricket Pitch

The event highlighted the shared enthusiasm for cricket in Britain and India, according to Reuters. It also formed part of the build-up to India hosting The Earthshot Prize's annual summit and awards ceremony next month.

The location gave the environmental initiative a prominent London stage. The Mall leads directly to Buckingham Palace, placing the campaign in front of tourists, passers-by and the cameras gathered for the occasion.

Prince William stopped traffic outside Buckingham Palace for a cricket match with international stars ahead of the Earthshot Prize in Mumbai.

The match was arranged by British content platform Backyard Cricket, according to Reuters' syndicated report. It brought grassroots cricketers into the same game as some of the sport's most recognisable names, rather than limiting the occasion to royal photographs.

The Earthshot Prize, founded by William in 2020, describes itself as an initiative to drive a decade of environmental action. Its 2026 Awards Night in Mumbai will celebrate 15 finalists, with five winners receiving £1 million each to scale their environmental solutions.

What Happens Next for the Earthshot Prize

Mumbai will host the summit on 16 November, followed by the Awards Night on 17 November. The Earthshot Prize says the event will mark the first time the Awards Night has reached audiences in more than 240 countries and territories through Prime Video.

For William, the cricket match offered a way to connect his environmental prize with a sport that carries significant cultural reach in both Britain and India. It was not, however, accompanied by a new policy announcement or funding commitment in Reuters' report.

The Prince has previously combined royal engagements with cricket. In October 2019, he and Catherine, Princess of Wales, joined children for a game at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore during their visit to Pakistan, as reported by ITV News.

A future king batting on The Mall, with Buckingham Palace behind him and international cricketers alongside him, attracted attention.

Whether that attention helps The Earthshot Prize reach the audiences it wants in Mumbai remains to be seen. For now, Ganguly's assessment stands. The Prince 'batted alright'.