King Charles has opened up about his unwavering commitment to environmental causes in a revealing new documentary that showcases his personal philosophy of living in harmony with nature. The monarch, who has faced criticism for his outspoken views over decades, insists he was never going to be diverted from his chosen path despite early scepticism about his beliefs.
A Deeply Personal Exploration
In "Finding Harmony: A King's Vision", his first project with a streaming platform, Charles reflects on past attacks regarding his environmental campaigning. The film, which premiered at Windsor Castle's Waterloo Chamber on Wednesday evening, represents what is believed to be the first film premiere ever held at a royal residence.
The king states clearly in the documentary: "I just felt this was the approach that I was going to stick to. A course I set and I wasn't going to be diverted from." This determination has characterised his five decades of campaigning on climate issues, during which he has maintained focus despite facing considerable criticism for his beliefs.
Philosophy of Interconnectedness
Filmed over seven months across four continents, the documentary explores Charles's philosophy of interconnectedness and the importance of living in balance with the natural world. The monarch summarises his core belief succinctly: "It all boils down to the fact that we are nature ourselves. We are a part of it, not apart from it."
This philosophy extends to practical applications at his Gloucestershire home, Highgrove, which he has transformed into a test bed for his radical ideas about "Harmony". The film shows Charles collecting eggs from "Cluckingham Palace", his hen house for rare breed hens, and reflects on his pioneering organic farming initiatives that were initially dismissed as unconventional.
Environmental Concerns and Legacy
Charles expresses concern about the current state of environmental progress, noting in the film: "On the fight to save the planet: it's rapidly going backwards. I've said that for the last 40 years but anyway, there we are." Despite this sober assessment, he remains hopeful that his work might contribute to greater awareness, stating: "Maybe, by the time I shuffle off this mortal coil, there might be a little more awareness ... of the need to bring things back together again."
The documentary revisits the 1986 programme that revealed Charles talked to plants, an incident that Ian Skelly, co-author of the king's 2010 Harmony book, says "haunted him ever since" and left him "really upset" by the ensuing criticism.
Global Projects and Partnerships
The lavish production showcases "Harmony"-inspired projects ranging from beekeeping at HMP Bristol to initiatives in the rainforests of Guyana, the deserts of Rajasthan, and Kabul in Afghanistan. It explores concepts of connectedness with nature, "sacred geometry", "natural mathematics", and "indigenous wisdom" through these diverse global examples.
Produced in partnership with The King's Foundation, the nature and sustainability charity founded by Charles in 1990 when he was Prince of Wales, the film presents an unchallenged view of his philosophy. The foundation is based at Dumfries House in Scotland and has been central to promoting the king's environmental vision for over three decades.
Unprecedented Royal Project
While not explicitly political, the documentary represents an unprecedented project for a British sovereign, though it continues work Charles began as Prince of Wales. A spokesperson for the king emphasised that this is not a "conventional royal documentary" but rather a "deeply personal exploration of ideas that have shaped his majesty's life and work: the interconnectedness of all things, the wisdom of traditional knowledges, and the belief that we can build a future that works in partnership with nature rather than against it."
Narrated by acclaimed actor Kate Winslet, the film will be available on Amazon Prime Video from 6 February in 240 countries and territories, making the king's environmental philosophy accessible to a global audience. The documentary captures Charles's environmental missionary zeal across five decades, presenting his vision for a more sustainable relationship between humanity and the natural world.
