Today : Feb 01, 2025
Arts & Culture
01 February 2025

King Charles Stars In New Amazon Documentary On Sustainability

The royal family embraces modern media to share environmental advocacy through film

Amazon Prime Video is stepping firmly onto the royal stage with its latest project, featuring none other than King Charles himself! The documentary, set to be groundbreaking for the royal family, promises to provide exclusive insights as the King shares his thoughts on environmental change and sustainability.

Filming for this exciting new venture commenced in January 2025 at Dumfries House, Scotland, with the aim of highlighting King Charles's longstanding commitment to environmentalism. Reported by The Times of London, this endeavor is unlike any other the King has participated in before. A palace source noted, "More than any other documentary he has done before, the aim seems to be to tell the world what the King stands for and what he is all about." This reflects the King’s desire to connect with audiences around the globe.

What makes this film particularly notable is its foundation, stemming from the principles laid out by Charles in his 2010 book, Harmony: A New Way of Looking at Our World. Here, he advocated for dramatic changes to transform the relationship between humanity and nature. "This is a call to revolution. Revolution is a strong word, and I use it deliberately," he stated. His commitment to the environment has been evident throughout his tenure as Prince of Wales and now as King.

According to sources, the King is eagerly anticipating the project’s release, as it presents an opportunity to share his philosophies related to nature and sustainability with new, international audiences. A Buckingham Palace representative expressed, "The King is greatly looking forward to seeing how the Harmony concept can be communicated to a new and international audience, using some of the best creative talents in TV." This signals the royal family’s intention to embrace modern platforms to disseminate their messages.

Meanwhile, the documentary signifies more than just another royal project; it marks a shift away from the traditional partnerships the royal family has engaged with over the years. Historically, the royals have favored networks like the BBC and ITV for their other major productions. With this project, the royal family is stepping out of its comfort zone and showcasing its willingness to adapt to the changing media environment.

Interestingly, the King’s choice of Amazon Prime also contrasts with the experiences of his son, Prince Harry, and daughter-in-law Meghan Markle. The couple famously entered the streaming arena through Netflix, securing a multi-million dollar deal which has yielded significant viewership for their docuseries, Harry & Meghan. Their projects, such as the upcoming lifestyle show With Love, Meghan, reflect this modern trend of royals engaging with major platforms to tell their stories.

According to The Times, multiple platforms were considered before Amazon emerged victorious, with the royal family prioritizing the ability to reach larger audiences and disseminate their environmentally focused message effectively. It marks the first collaboration between King Charles and Amazon, underscoring how the monarch envisions utilizing streaming services to engage with and influence the public.

The documentary is expected to showcase King Charles's charitable work, which has been longstanding and multifaceted. His concerns about environmental issues transcend national boundaries and speak to global communities. The film aims to extend his advocacy for sustainability, showing how interconnected people, nature, and the built environment truly are.

Expectations are high as audiences await the documentary’s premiere, likely to occur at the end of 2025 or early 2026. A palace source detailed, "This is a chance to 'show, not tell' how they can transform people, places, and..." reinforcing the film's intentions to highlight actionable steps toward environmental transformation.

King Charles has often faced skepticism about his views on modern challenges, including architecture and sustainability. His outspoken nature has sometimes drawn criticism. Nevertheless, many observers now recognize the prescience of his opinions, particularly concerning climate change.

The King envisions this documentary as part of cementing his legacy, hoping to reshape how the public understands the work he has accomplished over decades. Charles has previously shared his frustrations with the public perception of his multifaceted interests, expressing, "Perhaps I should not have been surprised... many appeared to think... I was merely leaping from one subject to another." This documentary aims to connect the dots, illustrating how his diverse interests are interrelated, imploring viewers to view the present through the lens of sustainability and consciousness.

This collaborative effort between Amazon Prime and the monarchy not only reshapes the narrative of royal storytelling but signifies the King’s commitment to engaging with pressing issues, emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship. Indeed, the project asserts the fundamental belief expressed by King Charles himself: transformation is not just possible but imperative. His forthcoming documentary aims to inspire and mobilize others toward responsible action, intertwining pillars of environment, culture, and community.

The world is watching as King Charles embarks on this remarkable initiative with Amazon Prime, setting the stage for impactful storytelling rooted in environmental advocacy. This documentary might just pave the way to garner wider support for the lasting values the King has championed.