The Prince of Wales has given a keynote speech at a major conference on the future of the oceans – with two other heirs to thrones in the audience to listen.
Prince William was at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco which was hosted by the country’s Sovereign, Prince Albert II, as part of a wider focus on supporting ocean life and protecting it for the future.
During his speech, the Prince of Wales said ”“The truth is that healthy oceans are essential to all life on earth. They generate half of the world’s oxygen, regulate our climate and provide food for more than three billion people.”
The heir to the throne added ”rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution and overfishing are putting pressure on these fragile ecosystems, and on the people and communities who depend most upon them. What once seemed an abundant resource is diminishing before our eyes. We all stand to be impacted. And we are all responsible for change – both negative and positive.”
The speech took place on World Ocean Day 2025. Originally proposed by Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, World Ocean Day is celebrated every 8 June. World Ocean Day events are focused on both individual and collective actions to create a better future for our oceans.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway also attended the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco.
Crown Princess Victoria was then joined by Crown Prince Haakon for a sailing trip from Monaco to Nice following the forum. Royalty and politicians will gather in the French city for UNOC3, the third United Nations Oceans Conference this week.
Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the conference runs from 9 to 13 June with the theme “accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”.
The Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco took place between June 7 and June 8 and was also attended by President Emmanuel Macron of France who was making a State Visit to the Principality at the same time.
Prince Albert has a long standing involvement in protecting the oceans and is following the lead of a past ruler of Monaco, Albert I, who was a noted oceanographer.
