Following a recent upsurge of Billionaires trying to go to space, Prince William has suggested that entrepreneurs should instead focus on saving Earth rather than engaging in space tourism.

"We need some of the world's greatest brains and minds fixed on trying to repair this planet, not trying to find the next place to go and live", he said speaking about the current space race and the drive to promote space tourism.

"I think that ultimately is what sold it for me; that really is quite crucial to be focusing on this [planet] rather than giving up and heading out into space to try and think of solutions for the future", he added.

William made the remarks ahead of the first Earth shot Prize; a reward given to those trying to save the planet. It was named in reference to the "moonshot" ambition of 1960s America, which saw then-President John F Kennedy pledge to get a man on the moon within a decade.

Meanwhile, the space race is heating up

On Wednesday, Hollywood actor; William Shatner became the oldest person to go to space aboard the Blue Origin sub-orbital capsule developed by billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Sir Richard Branson and Elon Musk are also building up their own space ventures.

However, criticizing the space race, William added that he had "absolutely no interest" in going as high as space; adding there was a "fundamental question" over the carbon cost of space flights.

He also warned of a rising problem of "climate anxiety" among young people whose "futures are basically threatened [by climate change] the whole time".

He challenged adults to channel their inner child to "remember how much it meant to be outdoors and what we're robbing those future generations of".

Five winners of the Earthshot Prize, each receiving £1million, will be announced in a ceremony later this month.