The Prince and Princess of Wales have publicly shared their delight after Robert Irwin, the Australian conservationist and son of the late Steve Irwin, was crowned the winner of Dancing with the Stars 2025.
A Royal Congratulations on Social Media
William and Kate used their official Instagram account to send a celebratory message directly to the 21-year-old winner. Their comment, 'Congratulations Robert and Witney!' followed by a disco ball emoji, was left on a video snippet Robert posted from the grand finale. The young TV personality secured the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy alongside his professional dance partner, Witney Carson, after a tough competition against celebrities including Alix Earle, Jordan Chiles, Elaine Hendrix, and Dylan Efron.
A Surprise Good Luck Call from a Prince
The public congratulation follows a more personal interaction earlier this month, when Prince William surprised Robert with a personal video call to wish him luck. A clearly stunned Robert exclaimed, 'Oh my goodness!' before asking the Prince about his recent trip to Rio. Appearing in a simple white shirt and patterned tie, William reported that the Earthshot Prize ceremony had gone 'really well' and expressed his confidence that 'We're going to save the world.'
Displaying their friendly rapport, William joked that he needed Robert for conservation work, telling him, 'Whilst your twinkle toes are going off elsewhere, I need you down here.' He also playfully ribbed the young star, urging Witney Carson to 'get him in as much glitter' as possible. After William signed off with a prediction that the pair had a 'seriously good chance of winning,' Robert was visibly moved, putting his hand over his heart and stating that the Prince's words meant 'the absolute world' to him.
Continuing a Family Tradition Amid Injury
Robert's victory continues a family tradition, as his sister, Bindi Irwin, won the competition's 21st season. Bindi was in the audience with their mother, Terri, to watch Robert's triumph. The win did not come easily, however. Hours before the finale, it was revealed that Robert was battling a painful rib injury, with his partner Witney sharing that it had been 'killing him.'
The connection between the Prince and Robert has grown stronger over the years, cemented by Robert's role as an ambassador for William's Earthshot Prize. They were also pictured spending time together in South Africa last year, highlighting their shared commitment to wildlife conservation.
