The program blends serious themes with lighter moments, including Charles’s memory of emerging from under the ice in a bowler hat and his recollection of persuading teammates to try raw seal liver.

King Charles voices frustration with humanity’s handling of the climate crisis and says he does not want future generations to inherit a ghastly legacy of horror.

Charles discusses the paradox in climate science, noting that scientific conclusions are often treated as truth in other areas but not as clearly in climate matters, and stresses the need for action to preserve hope.

He contrasts scientific consensus in climate science with other topics, urging belief in change and concrete action to avoid tipping points.

Charles expresses frustration that climate conclusions are not treated with the same decisiveness as other scientific claims and emphasizes timely action to prevent tipping points.

The documentary’s premiere is scheduled for December 15 at 9pm on ITV1.

Steve Backshall’s Royal Arctic Challenge will air on December 15 at 9pm on ITV1.

Charles’s environmental activism traces back to a 1970 Countryside Steering Committee speech warning about plastic waste, river chemical discharges, and air pollution, underscoring a long commitment to ecological issues.

The King reflects on his role and legacy, saying he does not want to leave future generations with a worse environment and aims to spur concrete action behind the scenes.

The documentary highlights Charles’s behind-the-scenes influence and ongoing commitment to environmental causes, including hopes for a better legacy for younger generations.

A new ITV documentary, Steve Backshall’s Royal Arctic Challenge, revisits Charles’s 1975 Canadian Arctic expedition to examine climate change, pollution, and their effects on glaciers, wildlife, and Indigenous communities.