King Charles’s forthcoming Prime Video documentary and Prince Harry’s National Geographic foreword have highlighted contrasting approaches to environmental advocacy within the Royal Family, according to commentator Richard Fitzwilliams.
The Duke of Sussex has written the foreword for the National Geographic book, Okavango and the Source of Life, by conservationist Steve Boyes, which is due to be published on March 3.
The book follows expeditions linked to the Okavango Wilderness Project and focuses on the headwaters that feed the Okavango Delta.
Asked how the project strengthens Harry’s global conservation credentials and how it compares with the King’s environmental messaging, Mr Fitzwilliams said the two operate on different levels.
“It is somewhat different, of course, because he’s lost Sentebale, and that’s a huge blow,” Mr Fitzwilliams exclusively told GB News.
The Duke of Sussex co-founded Sentebale in 2006 to support children and young people affected by HIV and AIDS in southern Africa, but later stepped back from the charity amid a prolonged leadership dispute which drew scrutiny from the Charity Commission.
Mr Fitzwilliams also raised Harry’s position on the board of African Parks and criticised what he described as a lack of public comment following controversy surrounding the organisation.
“He’s on the board of Africa Parks, but he’s been remarkably quiet about the scandal that was involved in and admitted fault, which is very curious,” he said.
King Charles climate work hailed as ‘extremely significant’ amid Prince Harry comparison
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African Parks has previously confirmed an investigation was carried out into allegations of abuses by guards in the Republic of the Congo and said steps were being taken following the findings.
Despite those issues, Mr Fitzwilliams said the National Geographic platform remains significant: “The National Geographic is very reputable and powerfully read, clearly.”
The comments come as King Charles prepares for the global release of Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision, an Amazon Prime Video documentary narrated by Kate Winslet and due to stream on February 6.
The Palace has said the film explores the King’s philosophy of harmony, encouraging people to see themselves as part of nature rather than separate from it.
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Kate Winslet narrated the King’s documentary | PA
Mr Fitzwilliams described the documentary as a continuation of Charles’s long-standing environmental work.
“So far as the King is concerned, yes, it’s a spectacle, with the top stars attending the premiere and Kate Winslet narrating,” he said, adding that he had not yet seen the film.
“What the King’s film is about is his theory of harmony and his devotion to environmental matters, and the fact that he believes that he can make a difference, which I think is absolutely true, and also what future generations will think.”
Mr Fitzwilliams acknowledged environmental policy and Net Zero have become increasingly politicised, but said the King’s approach appears to avoid entering party political debate.
The King and Queen attended His Majesty’s documentary premiere | PA
“The King is not looking at that issue, as far as I can see from the comments and the reviews,” he said.
“I think the King’s work on this, over 50 years, is extremely significant. There’s no doubt he’s championed the natural world.”
Mr Fitzwilliams also contrasted Charles’s approach with Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, describing the Prince of Wales’s focus as centred on innovation and solutions rather than ideology.
For Harry, the National Geographic foreword places him on record again about landscapes he has long described as personally important.
The foreword reflects on Africa as a formative influence and stresses the need to protect fragile ecosystems such as the Okavango as environmental pressures intensify.