Archive June 7, 2025

Prince William joined Sir David Attenborough for a chat about the importance of protecting the world’s oceans ahead of William giving a speech urging action in Monaco tomorrow

Sir David Attenborough has warned Prince William of the “unspeakably awful” damage to the ocean floor in a newly released film. The pair joined together in conversation to discuss the importance of protecting oceans in a video released to mark World Ocean’s Day tomorrow.

During the chat, which was filmed at the Royal Festival Hall after the premiere of Sir David’s new documentary, Oceans, William quizzes the 99-year-old naturalist about his experiences of exploring the ocean over his long life. And he issued a stark warning after the Prince of Wales asked him about the state of the oceans right now.

Sir David tells William: “The awful thing is, it is hidden from you and from me and most people. The thing that I was appalled by when I first saw the shots for this film is what we have done to the deep ocean floor, it is just unspeakably awful.

“I mean if you did anything remotely like it on land, everybody would be up in arms. If this film does anything, if it just shifts public awareness, it’ll be very important and I can only hope that people who see it will recognise that something must be done before we destroy this great treasure.”

However, the pair agree there is still reason to be optimistic about reversing the damage to our oceans, with Sir David adding documentaries like Oceans, which is released on streaming platforms today, can spread the message of the work that needs to be done to reverse the damage.

He told the prince: “What is heartening really is that we have the entree to people’s front rooms. Whole families sitting at home in comfort, can actually suddenly see this coming up. Films like this can expose something new.”

And William added: “It’s a really optimistic excitement sort of moment for the next generation to be able to be bigger explorers and find more data. The next 50 years will be incredible.”

Also in the chat, Sir David shows William an old aqua-lung diving helmet, putting it on his head, as William laughs: “Don’t put it on, you’ll never get it off, David.”

The documentary-maker also tells William about being one of the first people to be able to go diving after its invention saying: “That was the moment when suddenly you moved into a new world. You were flying among the fish, which was an extraordinary experience.”

The release of the footage of the conversation comes as William travels to Monaco tomorrow to attend the Blue Economy and Finance Forum, where he will give a speech calling for action to save the oceans before it’s too late.

He is expected to say: “Halfway through this decisive decade, I call on all of you to think big in your actions. Let us act together with urgency and optimism while we still have the chance.”

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: “There should be no doubt that this speech is the Prince of Wales calling for action to save our oceans now. The world is watching. This is him using his platform to call for more to be done sooner rather than later.”

William will be joined at the forum by French President Emmanuel Macron as well as Prince Albert of Monaco and Costa Rica’s President Chaves Robles, who will also make speeches about saving the world’s oceans.

Protecting the oceans has been one of the key focus areas for William’s Earthshot Prize Awards, which is handing out five £1million prizes over a decade for planet-saving solutions.

Since the awards were established in 2021, finalists in the Revive Our Oceans category have collectively protected and restored over 20,000 square kilometres of ocean and saved, reduced, or recycled 2.5 million tonnes of water.

Prince William joined Sir David Attenborough for a chat about the importance of protecting the world’s oceans ahead of William giving a speech urging action in Monaco tomorrow

Sir David Attenborough has warned Prince William of the “unspeakably awful” damage to the ocean floor in a newly released film. The pair joined together in conversation to discuss the importance of protecting oceans in a video released to mark World Ocean’s Day tomorrow.

During the chat, which was filmed at the Royal Festival Hall after the premiere of Sir David’s new documentary, Oceans, William quizzes the 99-year-old naturalist about his experiences of exploring the ocean over his long life. And he issued a stark warning after the Prince of Wales asked him about the state of the oceans right now.

Sir David tells William: “The awful thing is, it is hidden from you and from me and most people. The thing that I was appalled by when I first saw the shots for this film is what we have done to the deep ocean floor, it is just unspeakably awful.

“I mean if you did anything remotely like it on land, everybody would be up in arms. If this film does anything, if it just shifts public awareness, it’ll be very important and I can only hope that people who see it will recognise that something must be done before we destroy this great treasure.”

However, the pair agree there is still reason to be optimistic about reversing the damage to our oceans, with Sir David adding documentaries like Oceans, which is released on streaming platforms today, can spread the message of the work that needs to be done to reverse the damage.

He told the prince: “What is heartening really is that we have the entree to people’s front rooms. Whole families sitting at home in comfort, can actually suddenly see this coming up. Films like this can expose something new.”

And William added: “It’s a really optimistic excitement sort of moment for the next generation to be able to be bigger explorers and find more data. The next 50 years will be incredible.”

Also in the chat, Sir David shows William an old aqua-lung diving helmet, putting it on his head, as William laughs: “Don’t put it on, you’ll never get it off, David.”

The documentary-maker also tells William about being one of the first people to be able to go diving after its invention saying: “That was the moment when suddenly you moved into a new world. You were flying among the fish, which was an extraordinary experience.”

The release of the footage of the conversation comes as William travels to Monaco tomorrow to attend the Blue Economy and Finance Forum, where he will give a speech calling for action to save the oceans before it’s too late.

He is expected to say: “Halfway through this decisive decade, I call on all of you to think big in your actions. Let us act together with urgency and optimism while we still have the chance.”

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: “There should be no doubt that this speech is the Prince of Wales calling for action to save our oceans now. The world is watching. This is him using his platform to call for more to be done sooner rather than later.”

William will be joined at the forum by French President Emmanuel Macron as well as Prince Albert of Monaco and Costa Rica’s President Chaves Robles, who will also make speeches about saving the world’s oceans.

Protecting the oceans has been one of the key focus areas for William’s Earthshot Prize Awards, which is handing out five £1million prizes over a decade for planet-saving solutions.

Since the awards were established in 2021, finalists in the Revive Our Oceans category have collectively protected and restored over 20,000 square kilometres of ocean and saved, reduced, or recycled 2.5 million tonnes of water.

Wicked fans have gone wild after the trailer for part two of the musical was released last week, with triple Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo opening up on her friendship with co-star Ariana Grande

Wicked star Cynthia Erivo has revealed how Ariana Grande persuaded her to follow her dreams and become a popstar – unlike her first career choice to become a surgeon.

Speaking as the trailer for Wicked: For Good is released, giving fans a taste of what to expect in part two of the musical, Cynthia – who plays green-skinned Wicked Witch of the West Elphaba – will be releasing her second album, I Forgive You on June 27.

The triple Oscar nominee, who has won Grammy, Emmy and Tony awards, says of her pal and Wicked co-star Ariana: “At the very beginning when we were doing rehearsals, that’s when I sort of decided that, okay, time to write this album. Coaxed by Ariana because she wouldn’t let me get away with it!”

READ MORE: Wicked fans all make one prediction as ’emotional’ For Good trailer released

Wicked was the box office hit of the winter, surpassing Mamma Mia! and taking over $750 million worldwide – catapulting Cynthia to fame.

Singing with Ariana on the chart-topping soundtrack to the film, which shot to number one in the UK album charts, critics praised Cynthia’s powerful vocals and emotional acting.

Yet the star originally wanted to be a surgeon, not a singer.

She says:” I decided I wanted to be a spinal surgeon, randomly. Because I was good at biology and I was starting to get the hang of it.

“I was one of those kids that was good at reading, good at doing all those things and good at class work, but I could also sing. So my left and right brain were sort of like, doing a battle.”

But music won the war.

“I started enjoying singing when I was about eleven,” Cynthia tells Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett on the Dish from Waitrose podcast.

“Music was in my household all the time. My mum would sing along to everything and it would end up being a family sing along.

“My sister and I would sing together while we were doing the dishes. I think I was about fourteen and I was like,’ oh, I think I wanna do this. And then I changed my mind randomly when I was about sixteen, because there were no performers in my class.”

But when she embarked on a musical career, she received advice from high places – with Oprah Winfrey going out of her way to be helpful.

Cynthia says: “I have had advice from Oprah before, which is really nice.

“Right at the very beginning of my career, I was saying yes to absolutely everything. She was the one that was like, ‘You should say no sometimes.’

“‘It’s really good to say no. Sometimes you need to leave space for yourself’. So I took that to heart and began to really be discerning about what I said yes to.”

Born to Nigerian parents and growing up in Stockwell, south London, Cynthia has now finished filming for the second Wicked movie – which is out in November – apart from a couple of re-shoots, and would like to star in more films.

“I hope I get the chance to do the things that I’m wishing for – more film, more TV, more music. I hope to get to do a little tour.

“In my head I’ve been dreaming of doing some of the biggest stages in the world.”

Already receiving shining reviews, her new album, I Forgive You, which opens with a cover of No More I Love Yous – a tribute to her hero Annie Lennox – it is a mainly original and deeply personal exploration of romantic relationships.

”The good parts of the relationship, bad parts of a relationship, new relationships, letting go, saying goodbye, and forgiving both parties, yourself and, and the other person,” she says. “And it just sort of wrote itself.”

READ MORE: ‘Incredible’ £86 aftershave now £40 at Boots ahead of Father’s Day

Wicked fans have gone wild after the trailer for part two of the musical was released last week, with triple Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo opening up on her friendship with co-star Ariana Grande

Wicked star Cynthia Erivo has revealed how Ariana Grande persuaded her to follow her dreams and become a popstar – unlike her first career choice to become a surgeon.

Speaking as the trailer for Wicked: For Good is released, giving fans a taste of what to expect in part two of the musical, Cynthia – who plays green-skinned Wicked Witch of the West Elphaba – will be releasing her second album, I Forgive You on June 27.

The triple Oscar nominee, who has won Grammy, Emmy and Tony awards, says of her pal and Wicked co-star Ariana: “At the very beginning when we were doing rehearsals, that’s when I sort of decided that, okay, time to write this album. Coaxed by Ariana because she wouldn’t let me get away with it!”

READ MORE: Wicked fans all make one prediction as ’emotional’ For Good trailer released

Wicked was the box office hit of the winter, surpassing Mamma Mia! and taking over $750 million worldwide – catapulting Cynthia to fame.

Singing with Ariana on the chart-topping soundtrack to the film, which shot to number one in the UK album charts, critics praised Cynthia’s powerful vocals and emotional acting.

Yet the star originally wanted to be a surgeon, not a singer.

She says:” I decided I wanted to be a spinal surgeon, randomly. Because I was good at biology and I was starting to get the hang of it.

“I was one of those kids that was good at reading, good at doing all those things and good at class work, but I could also sing. So my left and right brain were sort of like, doing a battle.”

But music won the war.

“I started enjoying singing when I was about eleven,” Cynthia tells Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett on the Dish from Waitrose podcast.

“Music was in my household all the time. My mum would sing along to everything and it would end up being a family sing along.

“My sister and I would sing together while we were doing the dishes. I think I was about fourteen and I was like,’ oh, I think I wanna do this. And then I changed my mind randomly when I was about sixteen, because there were no performers in my class.”

But when she embarked on a musical career, she received advice from high places – with Oprah Winfrey going out of her way to be helpful.

Cynthia says: “I have had advice from Oprah before, which is really nice.

“Right at the very beginning of my career, I was saying yes to absolutely everything. She was the one that was like, ‘You should say no sometimes.’

“‘It’s really good to say no. Sometimes you need to leave space for yourself’. So I took that to heart and began to really be discerning about what I said yes to.”

Born to Nigerian parents and growing up in Stockwell, south London, Cynthia has now finished filming for the second Wicked movie – which is out in November – apart from a couple of re-shoots, and would like to star in more films.

“I hope I get the chance to do the things that I’m wishing for – more film, more TV, more music. I hope to get to do a little tour.

“In my head I’ve been dreaming of doing some of the biggest stages in the world.”

Already receiving shining reviews, her new album, I Forgive You, which opens with a cover of No More I Love Yous – a tribute to her hero Annie Lennox – it is a mainly original and deeply personal exploration of romantic relationships.

”The good parts of the relationship, bad parts of a relationship, new relationships, letting go, saying goodbye, and forgiving both parties, yourself and, and the other person,” she says. “And it just sort of wrote itself.”

READ MORE: ‘Incredible’ £86 aftershave now £40 at Boots ahead of Father’s Day