Prince William ‘Will Want to Introduce’ His Children to Africa Soon, Says Tusk Charity CEO (Exclusive)

A charitable organization Prince William has been patron of for nearly 20 years held a Hamptons gala on Aug. 15 that raised funds for the organization.

The Prince of Wales, long a supporter of the continent of Africa and issues pertaining to it, has been patron of Tusk Trust since 2005 — one of the very first organizations he put his name behind. Tusk Trust, founded in 1990, is buoyed by its mission of advancing wildlife conservation across Africa and funds the protection of African lion, rhinoceros and elephant species across the continent. The nonprofit hosted The Footprint of Life Gala at the home of Amy and Gary Green in Bridgehampton, where Ludacris and the London Electronic Orchestra performed at the environmentally-themed “50 Shades of Blue” soiree.

The money raised at the gala will “support the work of wildlife rangers across Africa and also the rollout of our environmental education program,” Tusk Trust CEO Charlie Mayhew told PEOPLE exclusively. The education program reaches about 500,000 children annually, Mayhew added.

Tusk Trust was one of the first two charities Prince William became patron of, Mayhew said, teaming up with the organization when he was just 23 years old. “He is very knowledgeable and passionate about conservation and the environment,” Mayhew said. “He has a particular love for Africa. He has been incredibly supportive as our patron and proactive in supporting us. We find ourselves incredibly lucky.”

Mayhew plans to meet up with Prince William in Cape Town, South Africa, when the Prince of Wales hosts the fourth annual Earthshot Prize Awards there in November. Soon enough, the Prince of Wales will want to introduce his three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — to the continent, Mayhew said.

“I think it won’t be long before, you know, he will want to introduce them to Africa,” he said.