Buckingham Palace went completely dark overnight for the milestone anniversary of a cause that has long been close to King Charles’ heart. The royal has dedicated much of his life to campaigning for the environment and being an advocate for climate action, which he put into practice on Saturday with a surprise 60-minute blackout at the palace for the global ‘Earth Hour’.
For 20 years, major landmarks and cities all around the world have shut off their lights for one hour in March to raise awareness for climate change. The World Wildlife Fund-organised movement first launched in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, and has since grown to include major buildings and landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.
A video posted by Instagram account @about.london showed the palace was shrouded in darkness on 28 March from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm GMT to, as WWF described, “stand up for our planet alongside millions around the world”.
“Every light out is a voice raised,” the organisation said ahead of the global event this year, which saw the lit-up billboards at Piccadilly Circus even go out for an hour.
Charles supported the initiative last year by turning off the lights at Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Windsor Castle. The official Royal Family Instagram account had urged others to “join us for 60 minutes and give an hour for Earth”.
Charles’ support for climate action
Charles has long been a vocal advocate for sustainability and climate action, going back to before he was even king. In 2020, when he was the Prince of Wales, Charles launched the Sustainable Markets Initiative to accelerate the world’s transition to a sustainable future.
The royal even made mention of the climate crisis in his Commonwealth Day message earlier this month.
“Across our world, communities and nations face the increasing pressures of conflict, climate change and rapid transformation. Yet it is often in such testing moments that the enduring spirit of the Commonwealth is most clearly revealed,” he said.
© GettyLifelong commitment to the environment
Charles has championed the environment in his work and personal life for decades. The royal transformed his Highgrove Estate into an organic farm more than 40 years ago and has been swapping his vehicles for green alternatives of late. When he was just 21, Charles delivered a speech warning about the threats to the environment, including air pollution from cars and planes.
“King Charles ascended the throne at a time when the planet faces its greatest peril. Luckily for us, he is a man prepared,” Lucy Johnson, sustainability expert and founder of Lovebrook & Green, told HELLO!.
”The King started talking about sustainability, global warming and grass fed produce decades before they’d entered most people’s conversations. His love of nature has been undimmed and over the last six decades he has proven himself to be one of our foremost environmentalists.”
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