Prince William Wears ‘Papa’ Friendship Bracelet in Sweet Nod to His Kids During South Africa Visit

The Prince of Wales was spotted wearing the blue and green accessory during a series of outings in Cape Town

Prince William in Cape Town, South Africa, on November 05, 2024, pictured alongside the friendship bracelet. Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty

Prince William has taken a sweet reminder of home to South Africa.

On Monday, Nov. 4, and Tuesday, Nov. 5, the Prince of Wales, 40, was spotted wearing a friendship bracelet featuring the word ‘Papa’ on his right wrist during a series of outings in Cape Town.

The blue and green bracelet, which is understood to have been made by Princess Charlotte ahead of her dad’s trip, features the affectionate name William’s three children, Prince George, 11, Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, call him spelled out in black and white beads.

William was first seen wearing the accessory — a string, beaded bracelet reminiscent of the friendship bracelet trend among Swifties at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concerts — as he met with more than 120 young leaders at the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Program with Earthshot CEO Hannah Jones on Nov. 4.

Later that day, William played rugby at Ocean View Secondary School with young South Africans from three townships. As he took part in the rugby coaching session and caught the ball, the bracelet could once again be seen on his wrist.

Prince William on November 04, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa.Victoria Jones/Shutterstock

The bracelet was also visible the following day as he took an early morning stroll beneath South Africa’s iconic Table Mountain with Robert Irwin — a global ambassador for the Earthshot Prize — on Nov. 5 ahead of the Earthshot Prize awards ceremony on Nov. 6.

William’s children often refer to their father as “Papa,” including when they sent a special message to him on Father’s Day earlier this year and on his 42nd birthday days later.

On June 17, William and his wife Kate Middleton shared a new photo of him with their three kids on their social media accounts to mark U.K. Father’s Day alongside a note from their children.

“We love you, Papa. Happy Father’s Day 💕 G, C & L,” the caption of the photo read, listing George, Charlotte and Louis’ first initials. It marked the first time a social media post was signed by the royal siblings.

Prince William plays rugby in Cape Town on November 04, 2024.Phil Noble/Pool/Shutterstock

It was previously revealed that William’s children call him “Papa” on Mother’s Day in the U.K. in 2021. At the time, Kensington Palace shared the cards that George, Charlotte and Louis had penned to their late grandmother, Princess Diana.

“I am thinking of you on Mother’s Day. I love you very much,” Princess Charlotte wrote in the card. “Papa is missing you. Lots of love.”

Charlotte and George also appear to be fans of the jewelry, as Charlotte was spotted wearing two friendship bracelets on her wrist during an outing to Wimbledon over the summer with her mom, the Princess of Wales, 42, and her aunt Pippa Middleton.

From left: Taylor Swift, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William at Swift’s Eras Tour in London in June 2024.Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram

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Meanwhile, George appeared to be sporting the accessory in a new birthday portrait to mark him turning 11 in July.

In the black-and-white photo, which was taken by his mom, a string bracelet could be seen on his wrist near the cuff of his white shirt.

The children wearing the bracelets came weeks after they attended Swift’s Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium in London with their father for his 42nd birthday.

The trio posed for rare selfies with Swift, 34, backstage at the show, as well as snapping a further selfie with the pop superstar’s boyfriend Travis Kelce, which Swift later shared on her Instagram.