King Charles reflects on speech from over 50 years in documentary
King Charles reflected on the clip in a moment from his new Prime Video documentary
King Charles has looked back on one of the earliest and most defining moments of his public life: a speech he gave over 50 years ago on the dangers of environmental pollution.
The reflection featured in a clip from Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision. The Prime Video documentary premiered on February 6.
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King Charles reflects on powerful speech
Narrated by Kate Winslet, the film explores His Majesty’s lifelong commitment to nature and sustainability.
One clip shows a striking moment from 1970. At just 21 years old, the then-Prince of Wales delivered a speech that stunned audiences.
“At the time, public discussions about the environment were rare,” Winslet explains in the voiceover. “When the 21-year-old prince gave one of his first-ever public speeches, many were shocked by what he had to say.”
In black and white footage, the young Charles warned of the “horrifying effects of pollution in all its cancerous forms”.
I remember being, well, profoundly, you know, concerned about all this.
He also highlighted the “growing menace of oil pollution at sea” and chemical waste from factories that “clogs up the rivers with toxic substances and adds to the filth in the seas”.
In footage from the documentary, the king is seen smiling as he watches the vintage clip projected onto a wall.
Reflecting on the moment, he says: “Well, it was quite a long time ago. I remember being, well, profoundly, you know, concerned about all this. It seemed crazy to go on without thinking carefully about how we manage all this.”
Finding Harmony documentary
The Amazon documentary was described by the royal family as a showcase of “the king’s philosophy of Harmony”. It also reiterates the monarch’s belief that humanity should see itself as “part of nature, not apart from nature”.
Throughout the trailer, Charles was also seen immersed in the natural world, walking through forests, interacting with animals, and speaking passionately with local communities.
The film also explores the resistance he faced early on, including from those in positions of authority who were “upset” by his then-unconventional message.
“A speech ahead of its time,” read the caption on Prime Video’s official Instagram, where the clip was shared.
The king’s environmental legacy was praised at a private screening of the documentary held at Windsor Castle last week. Among the guests were Kate Winslet, Stanley Tucci, Dame Judi Dench, and members of the royal family, including Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.
King Charles has spent decades championing the environment, long before it became a mainstream political issue. In Finding Harmony, he reflects not just on where that passion began, but how it has shaped his role as monarch.
“When I shuffle off my mortal coil,” the king recently said at the film’s premiere, “there might be a little more awareness” about the environment.
With Finding Harmony, Charles’ environmental journey comes full circle.
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