The Prince of Wales has toasted Sir David Attenborough ahead of his 99th birthday later this week, telling The Mail on Sunday in an exclusive statement: “May we all raise a glass to a true giant.”
The titan environmentalist was born on 8 May 1925 and has been a pivotal voice on the global stage for causes related to the environment, including preservation of the natural world and biology.
Prince William continued, writing that we must “continue the mission [Sir David Attenborough] has led with such grace and urgency.”
Sir David has also been a sounding board and mentor to Prince William, helping the future king launch the Earthshot Prize at the beginning of the decade, and has worked alongside the British Royal Family for decades in advancing green initiatives.
Prince William made note of this, writing how Sir David“has inspired my children and me in so many ways.”
The legendary broadcaster, who has produced nine installments of the BBC series Life, met Prince William and Catherine and their children at Kensington Palace in 2020 for a screening of his documentary A Life On Our Planet.
The children later had a chance to quiz Sir David on questions about animals—Prince George wanting to know which animal may be next to go extinct; Princess Charlotte revealing her love of spiders and wanting to know if Attenborough loved them too; and Prince Louis wondering which animal was Sr David’s favourite (the answer: monkeys).
Prince William wrote: “Through his boundless curiosity, gentle wisdom and unwavering commitment…he has brought the wonders of Earth into our homes and into our hearts. His voice has become a guiding light in our understanding of nature, and his message—that we must cherish and protect our planet—has never been more vital.”
Sir David Attenborough will mark his 99th birthday on May 8th 2025 with the premiere of a new documentary entitled Ocean which will showcase the natural wonder of the ocean and how vital it is to human survival.
Ocean premieres in theatres this week and will be available on streaming platforms later in the year.
