Prince William is steadily shaping his global legacy — not just as a future king, but as a bold leader driving real action on climate, conservation, and the world’s most pressing issues.
Prince William made a passionate plea to protect the planet’s oceans during a landmark speech at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) in Monaco on Sunday.
Speaking at the Grimaldi Forum, the 42-year-old Prince of Wales said: “If we save the sea, we save the world.” He began his address in French, then warned of rising threats to marine ecosystems.
BBC quotes Prince William as saying, “The truth is that healthy oceans are essential to all life on earth. They generate half of the world’s oxygen, regulate our climate and provide food for more than three billion people. And today, they need our help.”
Passionate Call to Action for Ocean Survival
Wearing a navy suit and tie, Prince William met Prince Albert of Monaco, 67, before stepping on stage. His message was clear and urgent.
As per BBC, William continues, “Rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution, and overfishing are putting pressure on these fragile ecosystems and on the people and communities who depend most upon them. What once seemed an abundant resource is diminishing before our eyes. We all stand to be impacted. And we are all responsible for change, both negative and positive. But there remains time to turn this tide.”
William Highlights Earthshot Prize as a Beacon of Hope
William spoke about The Earthshot Prize, which he launched in 2020 to find solutions for the planet’s biggest environmental challenges. He added,
“The Earthshot Prize is here to demonstrate that humanity does have the tools needed. But the brilliant minds behind these inspiring solutions cannot do it alone. They need scaling, support, and investment to reach their potential. And they need to be backed by ambitious action on a global, national,l and local level. Halfway through this decisive decade, I call on all of you to think big in your actions.”
William Ended The Speech On A Hopeful Note
He said, “Let us act together with urgency and optimism while we still have the chance. For the future of our planet. For the future generations. We must listen to the words of Sir David Attenborough: ‘If we save the sea, we save our world.’”
Palace: “The Time Is Now”
A Kensington Palace spokesperson added: “The Prince of Wales feels passionately about action being taken to protect and restore our oceans. He’s going to be calling for swift, immediate global action. The time is now.” The Monaco Forum was organized by the Government of Monaco, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and the Oceanographic Institute, with support from France and Costa Rica.
Prince William’s Monaco Visit Follows New Ocean Film with Sir David Attenborough
To mark World Oceans Day, Kensington Palace released a video of Prince William and 99-year-old Sir David Attenborough in conversation. William’s visit to Monaco came just one day after the film’s release, highlighting their shared commitment to ocean conservation.
The duo discussed the current state of the oceans ahead of Attenborough’s upcoming documentary “Ocean with David Attenborough“, releasing Sunday. The documentary aims to highlight the impact of human activity on the oceans and the possibility of recovery.
According to The Guardian, Sir David recalled a near-miss underwater experience from his early diving days. He said, “I suddenly felt water coming up. I thought, ‘This can’t be right’. And by the time it got to about here,” he said, gesturing to his nose, “I thought, ‘I’m sure this is not right.’ And of course if you’ve got this thing screwed on top of you, you can’t breathe. You can’t even make yourself heard, you know. Get it off me!”
As Earthshot enters its fifth year, it’s clear William isn’t just talking the talk — he’s doubling down on action, support, and real solutions to protect the planet’s most fragile ecosystems.
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Prince William Demands Urgent Action to Protect Oceans at Monaco Forum