Prince William has paid tribute to Sir David Attenborough on his 100th birthday, saying the environmentalist icon “opened our eyes to the beauty of our planet.” The Prince of Wales appeared at the Royal Albert Hall to lead celebrations for Sir David’s centenary, thanking the beloved naturalist for his guidance and friendship, which strengthened his own determination to highlight the planet’s natural wonders.
A Night of Celebration at the Royal Albert Hall
At the special event, broadcast on BBC One and hosted by Kirsty Young, the prince heralded the presenter’s “incredible storytelling” that “transformed the way we see the only home that we have – Planet Earth.” William, who launched the Earthshot Prize in 2020 with Sir David’s counsel, said generations had benefited from his “sense of urgent optimism that has made all the difference.”
Tributes from Across the Globe
As part of a week of celebrations marking Sir David’s centenary, a host of famous faces from royalty, conservation, sport, and entertainment thanked him for his influence on their lives. Tributes poured in from stars including Dame Judi Dench, Sir David Beckham, Morgan Freeman, and Bill Bailey, all of whom share Sir David’s passion for protecting the planet. Birthday wishes were also delivered from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Duke of Sussex.
William’s Personal Reflections
At the Albert Hall, William shared how his children, like millions worldwide, grew up with Sir David’s expertise, providing “a window into the wonders of nature that shaped their understanding of our planet, and their belief that it is something worth fighting for.” He said: “It is a rare privilege to celebrate a century of life. But it is rarer still when that person has transformed the way we see the only home that we have – Planet Earth.”
William continued: “David, for decades, your voice has been a constant in our lives, guiding us through rainforests and oceans, over mountains and into the very fabric of life. Through your boundless curiosity, gentle wisdom, and unwavering dedication, you have opened our eyes to the beauty of our planet, and to its fragility, reminding us of our collective responsibility to protect it. You have been a guiding light in the work we now undertake to safeguard the natural world. Long before many of us found our voice on the challenges we face, you were speaking with clarity, urgency, and optimism. And it is that sense of urgent optimism that has made all the difference.”
Sir David’s Remarkable Journey
Born in London on May 8, 1926, the same year as the late Queen Elizabeth II, Attenborough was raised on the grounds of what is now the University of Leicester, where his father was a senior leader. His fascination with nature began as a young boy, when he rode his bicycle into the surrounding countryside to collect treasures such as abandoned birds’ nests, shed snake skin, and fossils.
A Legacy of Storytelling and Science
Scientists, politicians, and conservationists have celebrated the man who brought frolicking gorillas, breaching whales, and tiny poisonous frogs into living rooms worldwide for over 70 years. Through BBC programs such as Life on Earth, The Private Life of Plants, and The Blue Planet, Attenborough illuminated the beauty, ferocity, and wonder of nature with a hushed melodic voice that conveys his awe. Viewers who never left their hometowns were transported to the Himalayas, the Amazon, and unexplored forests of Papua New Guinea. Behind the stunning images was a commitment to scientific accuracy that educated audiences on evolution, animal behaviour, and biodiversity.
As evidence of environmental threats mounted, Attenborough began sounding the alarm about climate change, ocean plastic, and other human-caused dangers. The Prince of Wales said Sir David gave us “one of the greatest gifts” – not just “understanding of what is at risk” but a “belief that positive change is still possible.”
Musical Performances and Royal Messages
Musicians who featured on Sir David’s BBC Planet Earth series performed during the evening. Dan Smith, frontman of Bastille, joined the BBC Concert Orchestra to perform Pompeii, featured in Planet Earth III. Icelandic band Sigur Rós also performed their hit Hoppipolla, used in promotion for Planet Earth and Planet Earth II. The orchestra wowed the audience with scores from unforgettable moments, including the snakes-and-iguanas chase from Planet Earth II and the wave-washing orcas sequence from Frozen Planet II.
The King’s Personal Tribute
In a special recorded video message, King Charles delivered a personal tribute to his friend, with whom he has shared a seven-decade friendship. The King penned a handwritten note from Balmoral Castle, which journeyed to London in a short film titled A Very Special Delivery. In the film, the birthday card is initially thwarted by a fallen tree, only to be rescued by heroic animals including an eagle, a fox, a red squirrel, and an otter, who traverse the British Isles to ensure Sir David receives his royal dispatch.
The King recalled their first meeting in 1958, when a nine-year-old Prince Charles visited the set of the BBC children’s programme Zoo Quest with his sister Princess Anne. He said: “It is amazing to think that you and I have known one another for more than 60 years; indeed, I believe we first met in 1958, almost a decade before the age of colour television, and of course our paths have crossed many times since. Over those decades you have revealed the beauty and wonders of Nature to audiences around the world in new and marvellous ways. In so doing, you have shared my determination to highlight the urgent need to protect and preserve this precious planet of ours – and all Life on Earth – for future generations. Thank you, then, for all that you have done. And on behalf of the whole nation, I wish you a very happy 100th birthday.”
William’s Promise for the Future
William closed his speech with a promise to help the next generation see the value in protecting the environment. He said: “If there is a baton to be taken up, it is the one you have prepared us to carry. Sir David, thank you for your wisdom, your kindness, your dedication, and for reminding us, always, of the wonder of the world we call home.”
