Prince William praises ‘inspiration’ David Attenborough whereas brother Harry labels him ‘a secular saint’ on the broadcaster’s a hundredth birthday
Prince William has praised Sir David Attenborough as an ‘inspiration’ while his brother Prince Harry referred to him as a ‘secular saint’ in a tribute to the beloved environmentalist who celebrates his 100th birthday today.
The Prince of Wales recorded a brief clip to mark the centenarian’s birthday as he told him: ‘Happy 100th David. Cannot believe it’s your 100th birthday.
‘Thank you so much for all your support with [the] Earthshot Prize and everything you do continues to inspire me.’
The clip was released as part of a compilation from The Earthshot Prize, a prestigious annual award given to those with innovative ideas to repair the planet. Both William and Sir David sit on the council which determines the winners.
It came as the Duke of Sussex described the British naturalist as ‘more than a broadcaster’ and an ‘institutional pillar as essential to the national fabric as a cup of tea’.
Harry also reflected on Sir David’s warnings over environmental issues and climate change as well as his connection with younger audiences with ‘credible authenticity’.
Sir David has enjoyed a close relationship with the Royal Family for decades, and was joined by Harry at the premiere of his Netflix show ‘Our Planet’ in London in 2019.
King Charles III and Prince William also attended the event at the Natural History Museum – and it was one of the final times Harry was pictured with his father and brother before they became estranged and he stepped down as a senior royal.
Prince William, Sir David Attenborough, King Charles and Prince Harry at the premiere of the broadcaster’s Netflix show ‘Our Planet’ at the Natural History Museum in London in April 2019
Prince Harry talks with Sir David Attenborough during the Our Planet premiere in April 2019
Harry, 41, wrote in Time magazine: ‘For almost anyone who grew up in the United Kingdom, Sir David Attenborough is more than a broadcaster; he is a secular saint.
‘He is an institutional pillar as essential to the national fabric as a cup of tea. His almost-whispers have been the soft soundtrack of the home—a shared experience that turned the weekend nature documentary into a national ritual.
‘For Americans, I imagine, Attenborough shows up not as a personality so much as a standard. He is the ‘Voice of Nature,’ the invisible, elegant authority narrating the high-definition spectacles of Planet Earth or Blue Planet.’
The Duke added that Sir David had taught the world how ‘wonder is a powerful precursor to protection’ and noted the ‘extraordinary scale of his work’.
He also wrote about the broadcaster’s ‘measured demeanour and lack of any conceivable agenda’ and how his ‘ability to draw in the youth has only deepened’.
Harry concluded: ‘He has shown us the world in all its brilliance and fragility, and in doing so has left humanity with both a gift and a responsibility.
‘The question now is whether those with the power to act will choose to lead before more of our world – our life support system – is lost.’
Sir David has been flooded with congratulations as he celebrates his birthday, which will be marked with a live event at the Royal Albert Hall this evening.
Sir David Attenborough with Queen Elizabeth II at Chatham House in London in November 2019
Charles and Princess Anne meet Sir David and Cocky the cockatoo in London in April 1958
This will feature music from his programmes along with stories and reflections from public figures and leading advocates for the natural world.
It is just one of many events to mark his birthday.
The Natural History Museum’s immersive exhibition presented by Sir David will be transformed into a free five-minute show in central London to celebrate.
Our Story With David Attenborough will be adapted to be shown at Outernet London in Tottenham Court Road from today.
The veteran BBC nature presenter will take viewers through the history of people and the earth, before presenting a vision of London’s future.
