King Charles Opens Up About Environmental Criticism in New Documentary
In a revealing new documentary set for release next week, King Charles has spoken candidly about the backlash he faced for his decades of environmental campaigning, stating he "wasn't going to be diverted" from his climate mission despite criticism.
A Royal Vision for Harmony
The 90-minute film, titled Finding Harmony: A King's Vision, will be available on Amazon and provides an intimate look at the monarch's lifelong commitment to green issues and his Harmony philosophy. Produced in close collaboration with his charity The King's Foundation and Amazon MGM Studios, the documentary represents a significant effort to bring his environmental work to a global audience.
In newly released footage, King Charles is shown watching archival clips of his passionate speeches on environmental matters. "I just felt this was the approach that I was going to stick to," he reflects. "A course I set and I wasn't going to be diverted from."
Reflections on Legacy and Limitations
The documentary captures moments where the King appears contemplative about his own mortality and the progress of climate action. After an academic notes that the world isn't on the necessary trajectory to limit climate change's worst effects, Charles responds with characteristic realism: "It's rapidly going backwards, I've said that for the last 40 years, but anyway, there we are..."
He adds with modest resignation: "I can only do what I can do, which is not very much - anyway. 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."
Revisiting Controversial Moments
Interestingly, the film revisits periods when Charles, as Prince of Wales, faced significant criticism for what some perceived as overstepping his role. The documentary highlights:
- His advocacy for organic farming methods
- Criticisms of modern architecture
- His much-publicised admission about talking to plants
Actress Kate Winslet's narration notes that the plant-talking comment "haunted him" due to the media response, adding depth to the portrayal of how public scrutiny affected his campaigning.
A Personal Glimpse Behind the Crown
Beyond the environmental focus, the documentary offers lighter, more personal moments that reveal the man behind the monarch:
- Charles collecting eggs from his chickens at the "Cluckingham Palace" coop on his Highgrove estate
- His declaration that "red Duke of Yorks" potatoes make the best crispy baked potatoes
- Insights into his spiritual connection with the natural world
A New Approach to Royal Storytelling
This production marks several firsts for royal media:
- The first documentary featuring King Charles on a streaming platform
- The first film to receive a movie premiere at a royal residence
- A departure from traditional royal documentaries with its strong environmental messaging
The documentary positions Charles as ahead of his time in promoting environmental awareness, noting that his son and daughter-in-law, the Prince and Princess of Wales, now champion similar nature-focused initiatives. With the King now more constrained in public statements as head of state, this film represents a strategic effort to communicate his environmental vision to wider audiences while building his legacy as a committed environmental advocate.
