King Charles Reaffirms Environmental Commitment in Groundbreaking Documentary
King Charles has declared he "wasn't going to be diverted" from his lifelong environmental campaigning, despite facing significant criticism throughout his advocacy journey. This steadfast commitment forms the central theme of a new documentary titled Finding Harmony: A King's Vision, scheduled for release on Prime Video next month.
Exploring the Harmony Philosophy
The 90-minute documentary, produced through a collaboration between The King's Foundation and Amazon MGM Studios, provides an intimate exploration of Charles's environmental philosophy. The film delves deep into his "Harmony" concept, which advocates for living in balance with nature, and traces how this worldview has shaped his decades of environmental activism.
In newly recorded footage, the monarch expresses profound concern about the current environmental trajectory, stating that humanity is "actually destroying our means to survival" and that the situation is "rapidly going backwards." Despite these sobering observations, Charles maintains a hopeful perspective, suggesting that "by the time I shuffle off this mortal coil" there might be greater awareness about the urgent need to restore ecological balance.
Personal Insights and Historical Context
The documentary offers viewers unprecedented access to the King's personal life and reflections. Viewers will witness Charles collecting eggs from his chickens at their "Cluckingham Palace" coop on his Highgrove estate and hear his surprising culinary preference for crispy baked potatoes made with "red Duke of Yorks" potatoes.
Narrated by acclaimed actress Kate Winslet, the film addresses how Charles was "haunted" by criticism following his 1986 television interview where he mentioned talking to plants. The documentary contextualizes how, as Prince of Wales, Charles emerged as a pioneering environmental voice despite persistent suggestions that he should "take a back seat" from public advocacy.
Family Moments and Philosophical Foundations
Archival footage provides glimpses of royal family interactions, including a young Duke of Sussex learning to fish with his father at Balmoral, Prince William as a child with Charles at Highgrove, and brief appearances of Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis during the coronation. The late Queen Elizabeth II also appears in home movie footage filming a young Charles.
The documentary explores the scientific and philosophical foundations of Charles's environmental thinking, which he first articulated in his 2010 book Harmony: A New Way Of Looking At Our World. HarperCollins will republish this work in March to coincide with the documentary's release.
A New Approach to Royal Documentaries
Buckingham Palace has described the film as "not a conventional royal documentary" that avoids traditional trappings of monarchy in favor of a "deeply personal exploration" of ideas that have shaped the King's life and work. The premiere at Windsor Castle marks what is believed to be the first global movie premiere held at a royal residence.
The documentary also showcases how The King's Foundation implements the harmony philosophy through practical projects focusing on community regeneration, sustainable textiles, and traditional skills at its headquarters in Dumfries House, Ayrshire.
Finding Harmony: A King's Vision will be available on Prime Video from February 6th in over 240 countries and territories worldwide, representing the King's first documentary collaboration with a streaming platform.
