King Charles Opens Up About 'Upsetting' Environmental Criticism in New Documentary
King Charles has candidly discussed the decades of criticism he has faced for his environmental campaigning in a revealing new documentary for Amazon Prime. The monarch, who has long championed green issues, admitted that the negative responses to his advocacy were deeply "upsetting" but insisted he was determined to stay the course.
A Lifelong Commitment to Environmental Advocacy
The 90-minute film, titled Finding Harmony: A King's Vision, provides an intimate look at Charles's environmental philosophy and his unwavering dedication to sustainability. In the documentary, the King expresses concern that the global environmental situation is "rapidly going backwards" and warns that humanity is "actually destroying our means of survival."
Despite this sobering assessment, Charles maintains hope for the future, suggesting that "by the time I shuffle off this mortal coil" there might be greater awareness of the need to restore balance with nature. The film explores the origins and evolution of his "harmony" philosophy, first outlined in his 2010 book Harmony: A New Way Of Looking At Our World.
Personal Reflections and Family Moments
The documentary features several personal moments that reveal the King's connection to nature:
- Collecting eggs from his chickens at the "Cluckingham Palace" coop on his Highgrove estate
- Sharing his preference for "red Duke of Yorks" potatoes as the best variety for baking
- Reflecting on how criticism of his 1986 admission that he talks to plants has "haunted him ever since"
Narrated by Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet, the film also includes archival footage of Charles with his family:
- Teaching a young Prince Harry to fish at Balmoral
- Spending time with Prince William at Highgrove and Home Farm
- Brief appearances of Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis during the Coronation
- Home movie footage filmed by the late Queen Elizabeth II
The Harmony Philosophy in Practice
The documentary showcases how Charles's environmental principles are implemented through The King's Foundation, which has its headquarters at Dumfries House in Ayrshire. The foundation's work includes:
- Community regeneration projects
- Sustainable textiles initiatives
- Preservation of traditional skills
- Promoting the importance of living in balance with nature
Ian Skelly, co-author of Charles's Harmony book, appears in the film and comments on the unfair treatment the King received for his environmental advocacy. "Those criticisms really upset him," Skelly reveals. "He got treated very unfairly, seen very unfairly, and those of us that knew him better were quite upset by that."
A New Approach to Royal Documentaries
A spokesperson for the King described the film as "not a conventional royal documentary," noting the absence of traditional royal pageantry. Instead, the documentary offers what they called "a deeply personal exploration of ideas that have shaped His Majesty's life and work."
The spokesperson emphasized the film's focus on interconnectedness, traditional knowledge, and building a sustainable future, claiming it "sets a new high watermark for royal documentaries." The King and Queen attended the premiere at Windsor Castle, marking what Buckingham Palace believes to be the first time a global movie premiere has been held at a royal residence.
Finding Harmony: A King's Vision will be released on February 6 on Prime Video, available in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. HarperCollins will republish Charles's Harmony book in March to coincide with the documentary's release.
