William praises Sir David Attenborough’s remarkable milestone at 100th birthday concert
William praises Sir: Prince William has praised Sir David Attenborough on reaching a “remarkable milestone” as the celebrated broadcaster and environmentalist marked his 100th birthday. The event took place at a special concert held at London’s Royal Albert Hall, honouring Sir David’s seven-decade career dedicated to natural history and environmental awareness.
Celebrating a lifetime of extraordinary service
During the concert, Prince William highlighted Sir David’s profound impact on how people view the planet. He said, “It is a rare privilege to celebrate a century of life, but it is rarer still when that person has transformed the way we see the only home that we have – planet Earth.” William also shared a personal note, mentioning how Sir David’s storytelling shaped his children’s understanding of nature and strengthened his own determination to act on environmental issues.
William added, “Tonight, we celebrate far more than a remarkable milestone of 100 years. We celebrate a lifetime of extraordinary service. A life that has brought the natural world closer to humanity, and humanity closer to its responsibility to the natural world.”
Tributes and performances at the Royal Albert Hall
The concert featured a variety of tributes and performances. Birthday messages from celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Dame Judi Dench, Olivia Colman, and Chris Martin were played on screen. DiCaprio expressed gratitude for Sir David’s work for the planet, while Dench thanked him for his teachings over the years.
Musical performances included the BBC Concert Orchestra playing iconic sequences from Sir David’s documentaries, such as Planet Earth II and Frozen Planet II. Icelandic band Sigur Rós performed their well-known song “Hoppípolla,” and Dan Smith from Bastille joined the orchestra for a live rendition of “Pompeii.”
Wildlife presenters and friends of Sir David, including Sir Michael Palin, Liz Bonnin, Steve Backshall, and Chris Packham, also reflected on his influence on public policy and environmental awareness. Sir Michael Palin recalled their long friendship and noted Sir David’s genuine passion for his work.
Special messages and unique delivery
King Charles sent a handwritten letter from Balmoral Castle, which was delivered to Sir David at the concert by a creative procession of animals including eagles, a hedgehog, a red squirrel, and geese. The King praised Sir David for revealing the beauty of nature and sharing the urgent need to protect the planet for future generations.
The concert concluded with a montage of Sir David’s career highlights, accompanied by his own narration of the song “What A Wonderful World.” Host Kirsty Young thanked Sir David for sharing his knowledge and love of the planet, acknowledging the unique voice he has given to nature.
The BBC also announced that Sir David will soon narrate a new natural history series, Blue Planet III, continuing his lifelong dedication to environmental education.