The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have arrived at a ceremony where William will present awards to three “extraordinary people” for their conservation work and bravery protecting Africa’s wildlife and natural heritage.

Kate wore an aqua green floor-length Jenny Packham dress to the Tusk Conservation Awards at Banqueting House, London.

Tusk Conservation Awards – London
The Duchess of Cambridge wore a Jenny Packham dress to the Tusk Conservation Awards (John Stillwell/PA)

The duke will present the Tusk award for conservation, Tusk wildlife ranger award and the Prince William award for conservation in Africa to the winners.

The charity was set up in 1990 by its current chief executive Charles Mayhew MBE to protect African wildlife against threats including poaching, habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.

The duke became a patron of Tusk in 2005 and has supported the charity’s work privately and publicly, including visiting its projects in Namibia and Tanzania on his recent tour of Africa.

He also visited projects in Kenya on his week-long tour before returning to the UK at the beginning of October.

Tusk Conservation Awards – London
The duke has said the awards mean ‘a great deal’ to him (John Stillwell/PA)

Last year, William said the annual awards mean a great deal to him personally and play a huge part in preserving the continent’s wildlife.

He added: “These awards, which mean a great deal to me personally, play a huge part in our mission to preserve Africa’s precious wildlife for its people.

“It is vital that we recognise the dedication of these unsung heroes and the bravery of rangers risking their lives, day and night, on conservation’s front line. We all owe them a huge debt of gratitude.”