King Charles has made a vow to younger generations as he warns of the “ghastly legacy” of climate change in a new interview with Steve Backshall.
The Deadly60 presenter will feature in a new documentary that will see him retrace the steps of the King from his 1975 trip to the Canadian Arctic, 50 years on.
Mr Backshall spoke to His Majesty at Buckingham Palace before he embarks on the journey to the Arctic.
Charles revealed to Mr Backshall: “I mind for what it’s worth about the younger generations. To me it is not fair to leave them something in a far worse state than I found it, if you know what I mean.
Steve Backshall is set to attempt to replicate King Charles’s royal trip to the Canadian Arctic 50 years on
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PA
“The whole point I have always felt is to improve it for people, so they don’t have a ghastly legacy of horror to have to deal with.
“That’s why I spent all these years, because I don’t want to be accused by my grandchildren of not doing anything about it. That is the key.”
The monarch was aged just 26 when he embarked on his unusual royal tour.
He braved the freezing climates of the Arctic and hardcore challenges such as a 30-minute under-ice scuba dive and driving a skidoo at 50mph.
The King went on to tell Mr Backshall: “I am riveted that you want to do this, 50 years later.”
When asked what he remembered most about his expedition, Charles responded: “Well, diving under the ice.
“That I vividly remember.”
The pair looked through archived images of the King’s trip, including photographs from his own personal collection that had never been seen by the public before.
King Charles made the unorthodox royal trip to the Canadian Arctic in 1975
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GETTY
Asked if he felt nostalgic looking at the photos, Charles said: “Yes, I think I am too old to go back. But yes, absolutely. So, thank God, I was younger in those days. I could never have survived it now.
During the project, Mr Backshall speaks on the effects of climate change as he says: “The only place that climate change becomes an absolute reality is a glacier like this.
“Where I am standing right now within a decade or so all of this ice is going to be gone. And this mighty glacier, one of the most beautiful places you could ever see is being affected by our world, our life, our choices.
“Scientists warn we ignore these melting glaciers at our peril.”
The challenge will air on December 15.
The King will also feature in a special edition of BBC Radio 4’s This Natural Life over the festive period.
He will open up on his passion for the environment during the programme.
The episode will be hosted by Martha Kearney and will explore how nature has become an important part of the monarch’s life.
The festive edition will bring listeners to Dumfries House in East Ayrshire, the headquarters of The King’s Foundation charity, to discuss Charles’s love for nature and the environment.
Airing on December 23, the episode follows the pair as they walk through the estate’s arboretum.
Charles will reflect on how his love of the natural world began during his childhood.