Prince Charles is turning 70 this month and to mark the special occasion, the BBC are releasing a documentary about the man himself.
Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70 features footage of Prince Charles over the last 12 months and also gives us an insight into who he really is, coming from those who know him best.
Of course Prince William and Prince Harry had some lovely words to say about their father, including the fact that he instilled environmental values in them from an early age. In fact, the two young princes admitted that he even took them litter picking on holiday.
“He took us litter-picking when we were younger, on holiday.” (Image: Getty Images)
“He took us litter-picking when we were younger, on holiday. We were in Norfolk on school holidays, and we went out litter-picking with him,” the Duke of Cambridge confesses in the documentary. “And again, both of us thought, ‘Well this is perfectly normal, everyone must do it’. We were there with our spikes, stabbing the rubbish into black plastic bags.”
Prince Harry also added that he “used to get taken the mickey out of at school for just picking up rubbish.”
“I didn’t go out consciously looking for it. When you go for walks anywhere, if you see something, it stands out, you pick it up… It’s like I’ve literally done this because I’m programmed to do it, because my father did it. And actually, we should all be doing it,” the Duke of Sussex says.
WATCH: Prince Charles talks the tree house he built for his family. Post continues…
Prince Charles has worked tirelessly for many years as a champion of environmental issues, well before it became a mainstream issue.
During a speech at European Year of the Environment Eyecatcher Awards in 1988, the Prince said, “It would seem to me that there is still a prejudiced misconception in certain circles that people concerned with the environment, and what happens to this Earth, are bearded, be-sandalled, shaven-headed mystics who retreat every now and then to the Hebrides or the Kalahari Desert to examine their navels and commune with the natives!”
Shortly after his royal wedding, Prince Harry praised his father’s legacy and work ethic at a Buckingham Palace garden party.
“Pa, I was again struck by the range and diversity of the work which you are involved with,” he said.
“Currently there are your two major charities, The Prince’s Trust and the newly formed – Prince’s Foundation – which has brought together your work supporting vulnerable young people in society, the built environment, culture, heritage and education. These sit alongside your 18 military associations and more than 420 patronages, ranging from music and the arts to rare breeds and plant life.”
“Although the subjects vary enormously, I know that the way in which you work with each of them does not.”
“His enthusiasm and energy are truly infectious; it has certainly inspired William and I to get involved in issues we care passionately about and to do whatever we can to make a difference. In fact, many of the issues William and I now work on are subjects we were introduced to by our father growing up. You have inspired William and I,” Prince Harry added.
