King Charles and Prince William may not always agree on everything, but when it comes to protecting the planet, they’re on the same page. The monarch and his heir are teaming up for a critical mission to tackle the environmental crisis, showing that family differences can be set aside for the greater good.
Both Charles and William have long been passionate about the natural world, and the King has instilled these values in both his sons, William and Prince Harry, from an early age. Now, Charles is lending his full support to William’s Earthshot Prize, an initiative he launched to find practical solutions to help save the planet.
In a surprise podcast interview, Charles joined Hollywood star Cate Blanchett, a member of the Earthshot Prize Council, to discuss the urgent issue of seed conservation. Also featured on the podcast was Dr. Elinor Breman, Kew’s senior research leader in seed conservation, who shared her expertise on preserving plant life.
The conversation, filmed back in July at Windsor Castle, was part of the “Unearthed” podcast series, which focuses on celebrating important conservation efforts, particularly the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst.
The Millennium Seed Bank, which has been running for 25 years, works to preserve seeds before they are lost due to climate change and environmental destruction. Cate, who is also an ambassador for the Wakehurst project, spoke passionately about the “urgency” of seed conservation, revealing that “97% of the wildflower meadows have been decimated,” a fact that shocked her deeply.
The King, who has long been involved with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, agreed with Cate about the importance of the work being done to safeguard biodiversity for future generations. He expressed how proud he was to be the patron of Kew and praised the remarkable efforts of the seed bank, calling them “wonderful.”
However, he also stressed the need to “speed up the process” to protect what is left of the planet’s flower-rich meadows, which have been severely damaged since World War II.
Cate pointed out how devastating the loss of these habitats can be, saying, “You can destroy in one day by just ploughing it up, but it takes practically a hundred years to replace.” The King agreed, emphasizing the long-term impact of these environmental issues, as reported by PEOPLE.
Charles went on to praise the work of seed banks, calling it “absolutely incredible” how they have been working to preserve plant species and biodiversity in such a crucial time for the planet.
This podcast, while a personal passion project for both the King and Prince William, highlights just how committed the royal family is to preserving the Earth for future generations. In a time when environmental challenges seem overwhelming, Charles and William’s joint mission is a much-needed reminder of the power of collaboration for a greater cause.