King Charles III surprised many by participating in a private podcast episode recorded with Cate Blanchett at Windsor Castle. The recording, part of the October 19 release of Unearthed, took place in July within the castle’s gardens, where the 76-year-old monarch shared insights about his role as Patron of Kew Gardens and his involvement with the Millennium Seed Bank, a global initiative protecting biodiversity.
Interview Highlights King Charles’s Longstanding Commitment to Nature Preservation
Cate Blanchett, who is 56 and serves as an ambassador for the nature reserve at Wakehurst, England, led the conversation alongside Dr. Elinor Breman, a senior expert in seed conservation. Together, they explored the king’s dedication to environmental causes, particularly his passion for safeguarding plant life. King Charles reflected on how he first engaged in efforts to conserve heritage vegetables, fruits, and plants, emphasizing the importance of maintaining ecological balance.
He explained that his early work centered on
rescuing all the heritage vegetables … and fruit and plants and everything,
and expressed his belief that
I just felt it was critical to keep the balance always … because we may need them at a later stage, don’t throw them away. It was quite difficult.
The podcast revealed that the Millennium Seed Bank has successfully preserved 85 percent of the United Kingdom’s threatened plant species and is now focused on protecting greater genetic diversity. King Charles also discussed his efforts to create natural “homes” for these plants, including his personal labor in regenerating the private gardens at Windsor Castle.
Conservation as Personal Passion: King Charles’s Gardening and Advocacy
When Blanchett described the garden work as
a real labor of love,
King Charles responded candidly about maintaining his garden beds and planting more trees, noting,
“Trying to keep them going is the problem.”
This intimate exchange underscores how the monarch’s environmental advocacy extends beyond public initiatives to hands-on care.
The king’s commitment to conservation will continue to be highlighted in an upcoming documentary titled Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision, set for release on Prime Video in early 2026. He has previously stated,
Nature is our sustainer — we are part of nature. Therefore, what we do to her, we do to ourselves. For much of my life, I have sought to promote and encourage ways we can work with, rather than against nature. In other words, to restore balance to our planet which is under such stress.
Family Dynamics and Public Engagement Amid Environmental Focus
The announcement of this documentary followed closely on the heels of a joint public appearance by King Charles III and Prince William at the Countdown to COP30 event on October 9, held at London’s Natural History Museum. Although the father and son presented a united environmental front, reports have circulated about tension between them due to differing views on the monarchy’s future.
Prince William, known as the Prince of Wales and aged 43, has recently voiced his desire for reform in interviews such as the one on Eugene Levy’s Apple TV+ series, The Reluctant Traveler. He commented candidly,
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,
and added,
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.
King Charles’s Engagement with Kew Gardens and Global Conservation
Throughout the podcast, King Charles emphasized his vital connection to Kew Gardens, a World Heritage Site located in England, home to the Royal Botanic Gardens and the world’s largest seed bank. His advocacy underscores the importance of initiatives designed to conserve the planet’s flora amid growing environmental threats. Living primarily at Clarence House in London alongside Queen Camilla, he continues to prioritize his role as both patron and passionate environmentalist, lending visibility to conservation efforts on a global stage.
