Rio de Janeiro’s Mayor Eduardo Paes joked he is “still the King” in a cheeky jibe at Prince William.
The mayor described their initial meeting as “typically informal” in Brazilian fashion, acknowledging the challenge of balancing royal protocols with local customs.
“It’s never easy to do with the British royalty. How about the protocols? But, I mean, he was very nice,” Mr Paes commented, noting the prince’s appreciation for Rio’s stunning scenery.
In a jovial gesture, the mayor declared that the city would belong to Prince William for the next 72 hours, though humorously asserting his own continued authority.
Rio mayor jokes he’s ‘still the King’ in cheeky jibe at Prince William
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He quipped: “So he’s got the keys, he can do whatever he wants in the next 72 hours. The city belongs to Prince William. I’m still the King, but it will belong to him!”
When questioned about whether concerns over Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s scandal might cast a shadow over the royal visit, Mr Paes offered a terse response.
“Well, we all have problems,” the mayor stated simply, declining to elaborate further on the sensitive topic.
The presence of London Mayor Sadiq Khan at the venue prompted further dialogue about municipal governance and the responsibilities of city leaders.
Mayor Eduardo Paes said Prince William was greeted to an ‘informal’ meeting
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Mr Paes noted the prince’s keen interest in understanding various aspects of Rio, particularly the security challenges facing the city.
The mayor attempted to provide context about the complex security situation, acknowledging that such intricate issues required more than the brief explanation time allowed during their meeting.
The security situation in Rio formed a significant part of their dialogue, with the prince showing particular interest in understanding the city’s challenges.
Mr Paes acknowledged spending considerable time attempting to outline the security complexities facing Rio de Janeiro.
“I spoke a lot, I try to explain to him the security issue of the city a little bit,” the mayor revealed, whilst recognising that such multifaceted problems could not be fully conveyed in their limited discussion time.
Mr Paes characterised the royal visit as carrying significant symbolic weight for Brazilian-British relations.
“It’s very symbolic. It shows, first, the connection between Great Britain and Brazil, which is a long relation,” the mayor explained.
The mayor highlighted the prince’s warm reception amongst Brazilians, noting the genuine affection shown towards the royal visitor.
“People like him here, so we were very glad to have him,” Paes remarked, expressing the city’s pleasure at hosting the prince.
Their conversation encompassed Rio’s unique urban landscape, where forest meets city, alongside political matters and the significance of mayoral leadership.
The prince will remain in Rio before travelling to Belem to deliver an address at the COP30 climate change summit.
The visit underscores the enduring diplomatic ties between the two nations, with the mayor emphasising how Prince William’s presence in Brazil serves as a meaningful gesture.