On October 9, 2025, King Charles III took part in a white-knuckle ceremony at the London Natural History Museum. He was supported in this initiative by Prince William, the Prince of Wales. Their visit commemorates the launch of our Countdown to COP30 initiative. This initiative is designed to address dire climate realities as the international community prepares for the 2025 COP30 Summit Collective Action in Belém, Brazil. The summit is scheduled for the fall of 2025 and seeks to gather influential figures to discuss climate actions and priorities.
The event was an opportunity to convene an impressive array of global leaders and experts—past and present—at the forefront of the climate space. It provided space for conversations about the best approaches to work together to fight climate change. While visiting, Charles and William got immersed with a number of films about environmentalism and why it matters more than ever in the world we live in today.
Inside Hintze Hall, a famous space within the Natural History Museum, the royals investigated a range of U.K.-rooted solutions. Specifically, they doubled down on creative strategies to address climate issues. Their presence at the event underscored the importance of royal involvement in pivotal discussions about the future of the planet.
Both King Charles and Prince William beamed as they toured the displays, emphasizing their commitment to climate action. Their attendance came on the heels of Prince William’s very public commitment to effect change within the monarchy.
“I think it’s safe to say that change is on my agenda. Change for good, and I embrace that, and I enjoy that change. I don’t fear it,” – Prince William.
These reforms would be ambitious but not radical. Prince William has said he wants them to be. He echoed sentiments we’ve heard throughout this conference, that his vision is not about radical upheaval but rather more fundamental course corrections that reflect the values of today.
“That’s the bit that excites me, is the idea of being able to bring some change. Not overly radical change, but changes that I think that need to happen,” – Prince William.
The Countdown to COP30 welcome procession was a demonstration of the royals’ commitment to poverty alleviation and climate action. Moreover, it cemented them as passionate advocates for environmental sustainability. Global leaders are getting ready for negotiations in Belém. The involvement of high-profile advocates like King Charles and Prince William increases the profile and appetite for climate action, inspiring more ambitious action from government, business, and civil society.
