Prince Harry has lauded Sir David Attenborough as a 'secular saint' in a heartfelt tribute marking the beloved environmentalist's 100th birthday today. The Duke of Sussex extolled the British naturalist as 'more than a broadcaster' and an 'institutional pillar as essential to the national fabric as a cup of tea'.
Connection with Younger Audiences
Harry also reflected on Sir David's warnings about environmental issues and climate change, noting his ability to connect with younger audiences through 'credible authenticity'. The Duke highlighted how the broadcaster's 'measured demeanour and lack of any conceivable agenda' have deepened his appeal among the youth.
Royal Family Ties
Sir David has enjoyed a close relationship with the Royal Family for decades. He 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—one of the final occasions Harry was pictured with his father and brother before their estrangement and his departure as a senior royal.
Writing in Time magazine, Harry stated: '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, Harry added, Attenborough appears as a standard rather than a personality: 'He is the Voice of Nature, the invisible, elegant authority narrating the high-definition spectacles of Planet Earth or Blue Planet.'
Legacy and Responsibility
The Duke noted that Sir David taught the world how 'wonder is a powerful precursor to protection' and emphasised the 'extraordinary scale of his work'. 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.'
Birthday Celebrations
Sir David has been inundated with congratulations on his 100th birthday, which will be marked by a live event at the Royal Albert Hall this evening. The event will feature music from his programmes, along with stories and reflections from public figures and leading advocates for the natural world. The Natural History Museum's immersive exhibition presented by Sir David will be transformed into a free five-minute show at Outernet London in Tottenham Court Road, titled 'Our Story With David Attenborough', taking viewers through the history of people and the earth before presenting a vision of London's future.
