Prince William has paid tribute to ‘wildlife warrior’ Steve Irwin as the royal warned about the dangers of climate change.
The annual Steve Irwin gala takes place in Brisbane tonight to raise funds to continue to work of the wildlife conservationist.
Steve died on September 4, 2006, at the age of 44 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray while filming a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef.
The Prince of Wales has recorded a message to welcome the guests to the event that will ‘honour the life and legacy of a true wildlife warrior, Steve Irwin’.
He said: ‘Steve’s mission in life was to safeguard life on our planet, and tonight’s event is all about carrying forward that dedication to conservation and the natural world.
‘Today, over 8 billion people share Earth with a vast array of fauna, flora, and precious ecosystems.
‘We are approaching a defining moment, as temperatures rise, animals and plants face extinction, water resources diminish, and waste accumulates.
‘These tipping points could reshape life on Earth unless we take collective action now.
Prince William has paid tribute to ‘wildlife warrior’ Steve Irwin as the royal warns about the dangers of climate change
Steve died on September 4, 2006, at the age of 44 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray while filming a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef
Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town last year
‘Steve Irwin was dedicated to conservation, he advocated for wildlife and wild places across the globe, dreamed of clean air, abundant healthy oceans and a stable climate for future generations.’
William went on to praise Steve’s family, who continue his work, and said he was ‘delighted’ that Robert Irwin is an ambassador for the EarthShot prize, an organisation set up by the prince to ‘spotlight and champion the most innovative solutions’ to climate change.
He even made a nod to Robert’s recent Dancing with the Stars win, a decade after his older sister Bindi won the same title.
William said: ‘We couldn’t have asked for a more passionate and committed ambassador in Robert, and he’s not a bad dancer either.
‘That clearly runs in the family too.’
Earlier this month, William surprised Robert when he personally called him up for a video chat to wish him luck.
The Prince and Princess of Wales also shared a message after his win. ‘Congratulations Robert and Witney!’ a comment from the couple’s account read, followed by a disco ball emoji.
It appears the Prince and Robert have grown close in recent times, having spent a day together in South Africa last year.
William, who was in the country for a four-day visit centred around the Earthshot Prize awards, traversed a rocky climb as he walked up Signal Hill with Robert.
Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town last year
And Irwin later tweeted a video of him with William, in which he asked the prince what his ‘favourite African animal’ was.
William replied: ‘Oh, it’s a tough question, it’s a really tough question. My children ask me this regularly. I think I’m going to have to say the cheetah. Fantastic animal.’ Irwin then said his favourite was the chameleon.
The prince also spoke with park rangers, firefighters, mountain rescue volunteers, biodiversity experts and youth volunteers in front of the scenic backdrop.
They told him about the diversity of fauna and flora and the work they do to protect the environment while ensuring residents and tourists are able to enjoy the area.
Speaking afterwards, Irwin said of his meeting with the prince: ‘You can instantly tell that passion the rangers and volunteers have here on the ground here at Signal Hill rubs off on everyone. You just can’t help but fall in love with this place.
‘Prince William, myself and everyone here have certainly fallen in love with Cape Town. It’s a beautiful location and the conservation work is being done here, it just fills my heart with hope.’
