Robert Irwin hails Prince William as 'one of the greatest environmentalists on the planet'
Conservationist Robert Irwin has developed a close friendship with Prince William over a mutual love of protecting the planet and encouraging others to do the same, and he has praised the future King of England as "one of the greatest environmentalists on the planet".
Robert Irwin has hailed Prince William as "one of the greatest environmentalists on the planet".
The 22-year-old conservationist - whose dad is the late, great conservationist and environmentalist Steve Irwin, who died in 2006, aged 44 - has become pals with the Prince of Wales after they bonded over a mutual love of protecting the planet and encouraging others to do the same.
Robert has spent time with the 44-year-old royal this week while in England for London Climate Action Week 2026, and he praised the future King as a "passionate" and "down-to-earth" human being.
Speaking on This Morning, Robert said: "His Royal Highness, Prince William, has become someone that I worked with quite a lot through the Earthshot Prize, which is, of course, his amazing global initiative to award the biggest and brighter solutions in environmental issues.
"And, basically, it's about kind of looking at conservation and all of these big challenges through the lens of optimism, urgent optimism, like, look at what is being done to make a difference.
"I just rode the 3,000th electric bus with His Royal Highness yesterday, and we spent the day talking about climate change, and all sorts.
"He is a passionate individual. When I am around other people who share that passion for conservation, it gets me so excited.
"He truly, is, I think, one of the greatest environmentalists that we have on the planet. He's amazing.
"He is just a down-to-earth human being, and someone who knows the importance of conservation reaching different audiences."
Robert admitted it wasn't on his "bingo card" to work with William, but the pair have developed a close bond.
William even previously FaceTimed Robert during his Dancing With the Stars rehearsals to wish him well in the competition.
Speaking about their friendship, Robert said: "Joining forces with Prince William with the Earthshot Prize was not on my bingo card, but, honestly, it is such a privilege. And I love it here. I love the UK, I love London."
Robert also told how he talks about his late father "every single day" to keep his memory alive.
He said: "He is still so much a part of everything I do, and it's the honour of my lifetime to make sure that spirit of fun and passion and positivity, and of course, wildlife conservation, but through the lens of kindness, like he would always say at his core, he would always tell my sister and I, 'You've got to treat every living being how you would wish to be treated.'
"And that is just something I'll carry with me forever.
"And the fact that I get a new story about him every day ... I get a little piece of him back."
