Royal patron Prince William is guest of honour at anniversary ball to protect endangered wildlife in Africa
- The Duke of Cambridge is royal patron for charity Tusk Trust
- The charity celebrated 25 years with the ball held at Syon House, Brentford
- Singer Joss Stone was among 500 guests at the event
The Duke of Cambridge took to the stage as the guest of honour for the inaugural Tusk Trust conservation ball.
Marking the charity's 25th anniversary, the event saw Prince William give a speech at Syon House, Brentford, West London to highlight their battle against the crisis facing wildlife in Africa.
The Prince has been the royal patron of the UK-based charity since 2005 and is an advocate for Tusk’s pledge to support conservation, education and community development across the continent.
The Duke of Cambridge gave a speech before dinner at the 25th anniversary ball for the Tusk Trust
Seated next to singer Joss Stone, the Prince enjoyed conversation over dinner
The Prince watched African dancers at the ball and was seen talking to singer Joss Stone, who is known for her charity work and also supports animal welfare charity PETA.
William was among 500 guests attending the Tusk Ball chaired by Tusk patron, Deborah Meaden, in support of their 25th Anniversary Appeal.
The Duke of Cambridge was greeted on arrival by Deborah Meaden and Charlie Mayhew, Tusk’s CEO and founder, before being presented to a number of key supporters and guests during a pre-dinner reception.
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Over 25 years, Tusk has raised more than £25m for projects across Africa.
Like his father The Prince of Wales and his grandfather The Duke of Edinburgh, William has a passion for conservation.
Earlier this month, he paid tribute to a Kenyan wildlife ranger in recognition of his 'extraordinary contribution' to the cause.
On the podium, William spoke of his love for conservation and and celebrated the charity's work
Sharing a greeting with singer Joss, who was invited to his wedding to the Duchess of Cambridge in 2011
The ball was held to honour the charity's impact in the midst of the continuing crisis facing wildlife in Africa
Joss wore a white lace gown with a high-neck to the event paired with statement earrings
Prince William shakes hands with guests at the Tusk Trust ball held at Syon House, Brentford, West London
Joss wore a Seventies-style fur coat and gave William a warm embrace as the pair appeared to share a joke
His intervention came after Edward Ndiritu, the head of the anti-poaching unit at the Lewa Conservancy in northern Kenya, became the first winner of the Tusk Trust's Wildlife Ranger Award.
In a letter written to the 42-year-old ranger, Prince William went on to praise his protection work, adding that his patrols have also 'increased security' for local villagers.
He continued: 'May I take the opportunity to personally congratulate you on this richly deserved award and to thank you for the extraordinary contribution you and your team at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy have made towards both the protection of wildlife and increased security for the rural communities of northern Kenya.'
The Duke of Cambridge pictured with Joss Stone and CEO of Tusk Trust Charlie Mayhew, centre
The Prince spoke in front of 500 guests in the event decorated with African wildlife figures
Joss Stone is known for her charity work and also supports animal welfare charity PETA
At the charity's 2013 ball, he told guests the cause was even more important to him since becoming a father.
He said: 'Like any new parents, our thoughts inevitably turn to the world that our child will inherit.
'It is unfathomable to imagine a world in which children who have been born in the past couple of months may grow up in a world in which rhinoceros have ceased to exist in the wild.
He added: 'The possibility of extinction is bad enough for one of our children growing up here in the West, who will never experience the magic of seeing a rhino on a new television documentary; or even for my own little George, who Catherine and I very much hope to introduce to east Africa - a place we know and love - in the fullness of time.'
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