The Activist Monarch: Is Charles III the New Climate King?



In 1970, King Charles III warned about the negative effects of plastic on the environment and the dangers of climate change, but was mocked for his views. He built an eco-town and supported “organic” farming long before the word became fashionable.

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The UK has a new monarch: King Charles III’s coronation was watched by millions across the globe. Camilla became Queen Consort and William, the heir to the throne, became Duke of Windsor. Prince George is second in line to the throne. If you like our content, but want to listen to our episodes AD-FREE, please become a patron.

Whether you’re a monarchist or not, you have to admit that Elizabeth Regina II – Lilibet et as Prince Phillip used to call her - was a magnificent monarch and Uk’s longest reigning monarch. 1, 2

When her father George VI died in February 1952, Elizabeth—then 25 years old—became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (known today as Sri Lanka), as well as Head of the Commonwealth. During her reign, she had 15 Prime Ministers, from Winston Churchill to Liz Truss.

King Charles III has a passion for gardening, plants and green spaces and was way ahead of his time with his care for the environment, a worry he expressed in his 1970 speech in which he warns about plastic, pollution and the dangers of climate change. He also loves sustainable architecture and built an eco-town called Pundbury on the outskirts of Dorchester, in Dorset. He enjoys organic farming and products, which he has been growing since before the word “organic” became fashionable. 3, 4, 5 


1. Anneta Konstantindes. American tourists once met the Queen and had no idea who she was — so she played a joke on them. Business Insider India. June 2022. 

2. British Royal Films Youtube channel. Queen Elizabeth cracks a joke!. Youtube. March 2009. 

3. The Royal Family Youtube channel. The Prince of Wales reflects on 50 years since his first speech on the environment. Youtube. February 2020. 

4. Royal Institue of British Architects Facebook page. Next month marks 30 years since Prince Charles’s (in)famous ‘Carbuncle’ speech.... Facebook. April 2014. 

5. A speech by HRH The Prince of Wales at the 150th anniversary of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Royal Gala Evening at Hampton Court Palace. Prince of Wales Official Website. May 1984. 

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