On June 24, 2025, BBC Radio 2's breakfast show host Scott Mills was in for a surprise when William, Prince of Wales, left a special voicenote during the live broadcast. The message was intended to celebrate conservationist and presenter Robert Irwin's appearance on the show and to highlight the ongoing work of the Earthshot Prize, an ambitious environmental initiative founded by Prince William himself.
Robert Irwin, son of the late Steve Irwin, was named the "resident wildlife expert" for the morning, fielding questions from children who had sent in voicenotes about animals. Among the queries, Robert answered how many teeth tigers have and the global elephant population, showcasing his expertise and passion for wildlife. Then, just as the show was wrapping up, Scott announced there was one more voicenote to play — and it was from none other than Prince William.
In his message, the Prince greeted Scott with a cheerful "Good morning, Scott, or should I say G'day, Scott?" and praised Robert as a "brilliant ambassador for the Earthshot Prize." He apologized for not being able to join them live but expressed hope to catch up soon. Importantly, Prince William extended a warm invitation to Scott Mills to attend the Earthshot Prize ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, slated for November 2025. "It's going to be a fantastic event, great show," he said.
Adding a touch of humor, William warned Scott to "just beware" of Robert's penchant for pulling "random terrifying animals and creatures out of his pockets" during shows, cautioning him to watch his back for surprises like a tarantula suddenly appearing on his desk. Robert himself laughed heartily at the message, clearly delighted by the personal shout-out.
The Earthshot Prize, launched in 2020, is a global environmental award aiming to discover and scale innovative solutions to pressing climate and conservation challenges. It is inspired by President John F. Kennedy's "Moonshot" and is Prince William's flagship project to rally collective action for the planet. The 2025 ceremony will be held at the Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow) in Rio, marking the first time the prize is hosted in Latin America. This event comes just days before Brazil hosts COP30 in Belém, underscoring the region's growing importance in environmental stewardship.
On June 25, 2025, as London Climate Action Week kicked off, Prince William met with Earthshot Prize finalists at a 'Leading with Impact' event in the City of London. There, he emphasized that saving the planet is a "team game," highlighting that the Earthshot Prize addresses a wide spectrum of environmental issues — from climate change and plastic pollution to ocean health and air quality. "It's all the things that we as human beings care about," he said, underscoring the prize's broad mission.
William also shared his excitement about traveling to Rio de Janeiro later in the year for the prize ceremony. "From a personal point of view, I've always wanted to get to South America, particularly Brazil," he said. "So I'm personally very excited about going down there. I think South America as a whole, the amount of ecosystem, kind of environmental interest and passion that is there, I think that's really important."
Robert Irwin, speaking at the same London Climate Week, praised Prince William's conservation efforts. He described the Prince as "creating an amazing legacy" for his children and an entire generation. Robert noted the "symmetry" in their upbringings, both having been exposed to wildlife from a young age and growing up in environments deeply connected to conservation. "I was born and raised and grew up in a family business and a family environment, you know, creating this amazing empire of conservation and a positivity," Robert said. "There is such a symmetry in that Prince William, the environment that he grew up in, how he travelled so much from such a young age and got to see wildlife around the world." This shared passion clearly fuels their collaboration and mutual respect.
Meanwhile, Robert also spoke with Scott Mills about his plans beyond conservation, including his intention to appear on the popular television show Dancing With the Stars. He discussed the differences and similarities between UK wildlife and Australia's unique fauna, continuing the legacy of his late father, Steve Irwin, who was renowned worldwide for his wildlife expertise and charismatic conservation advocacy.
BBC Radio 2, boasting 13.1 million weekly listeners, remains the UK's most popular radio station. Scott Mills’ breakfast show regularly features celebrity guests and interactive segments, making it a fitting platform for such a special message from the Prince of Wales.
In related royal news, King Charles and Queen Camilla recently attended a reception celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Royal Drawing School in London. The King revealed he contributed a pencil sketch of the gardens at Highgrove for the occasion. Princess Anne visited Moray, Scotland, to open a new Coastguard Rescue Centre and support local groups, while the Duchess of Edinburgh patronized the Central School of Ballet in London, showcasing the royal family's diverse engagements.
Architect Lord Foster has been selected to design the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II. The memorial will feature a new glass bridge in St James's Park, statues of the Queen and Prince Philip, and a "family of gardens," creating a lasting tribute to the late monarch’s legacy.
On the international stage, the Norwegian royals attended a gala dinner in Oslo honoring the French President and his wife, with Princess Ingrid Alexandra stunning in a ruby-red Vivienne Westwood gown and diamond tiara.
Back in the UK, Princess Kate is gradually returning to royal duties after her treatment for cancer, prioritizing her wellbeing by canceling some engagements such as Royal Ascot but participating in key events like Garter Day and Trooping the Colour. Royal editor Rebecca English revealed that Kate was "seriously unwell" prior to her surgery, making her recovery all the more remarkable.
Looking ahead, Prince William is reportedly eager to travel to Switzerland in July to support the England Lionesses as they defend their Euros crown, continuing his long-standing patronage of the Football Association and women's football.
Meanwhile, touching moments from the royal family continue to capture public affection. Prince George was spotted enjoying a simple Cola bottle sweet during Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee Pageant in 2022, endearing him to fans with his relatable charm. Princess Beatrice's stepson, Wolfie Mapelli Mozzi, is learning Chinese to connect with his Taiwanese heritage, highlighting the multicultural fabric of modern royal families.
Across the pond, Meghan Markle's lifestyle brand, As Ever, recently showcased a wooden tree swing at their Montecito estate, reminiscent of similar childhood features at royal homes like Anmer Hall and Royal Lodge, further connecting the extended family through shared traditions.
As the Earthshot Prize prepares for its landmark ceremony in Rio this November, the global spotlight on environmental innovation and conservation shines brightly. With Prince William's passionate leadership and ambassadors like Robert Irwin championing the cause, the prize continues to inspire action and hope for the planet's future.
