Prince William Launches Guardians Initiative to Step Up Climate and Wildlife Protection

Prince William is doubling down on his environmental mission, and doing so with Indigenous voices front and centre.

As Guardians, his groundbreaking new BBC Earth docuseries, premieres, the Prince of Wales marked the occasion by leading a high-level roundtable at St James's Palace on Thursday, 26 June. PEOPLE reported that the event brought together climate leaders, Indigenous representatives and global policymakers to spotlight a shared priority: placing Indigenous peoples and local communities at the heart of conservation.

The meeting, held during London Climate Action Week, was organised by William's United for Wildlife initiative, part of The Royal Foundation. It featured Brazilian Indigenous leader and minister Sonia Guajajara, who appears in the final episode of Guardians, as well as British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago.

'All life begins with nature,' William said in his opening remarks. 'Our forests, rivers, and the ocean are not just landscapes—they are the foundation of life on Earth.'

His words served as both a call to action and preview of the series, which gives viewers a rare, on-the-ground look at those risking their lives to protect the world's most fragile ecosystems. The final episode focuses on the Caru Indigenous Territory in the Brazilian Amazon, where Guajajara and other Indigenous rangers safeguard biodiversity and ancestral lands.

'Sonia's incredible work features in the final episode of our Guardians series, which premieres tonight," William said. "A powerful story that speaks directly to the themes we are addressing today.'

From Royal Protocol to Eco-Advocacy

At 43, Prince William is positioning himself as a next-generation royal with a global portfolio, less defined by tradition and more by purposeful activism. His environmental efforts - through The Earthshot Prize and United for Wildlife - have evolved into sophisticated platforms for global collaboration, conservation innovation, and digital storytelling.

Earlier in the week, William joined Australian wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin for a conversation in London. Irwin, the son of the late Steve Irwin, praised the prince's expanding toolkit as a changemaker. 'He's finding new people, new collaborations to inspire greater change,' Irwin said. 'He's constantly adapting.'

The Earthshot Prize, William's decade-long initiative to find scalable climate solutions, is now midway through its lifecycle. 'By 2030, the Earthshot Prize in its current guise will cease to exist,' William noted. 'We very much want to make sure this is a decade of change.'

Guardians: A New Kind of Royal Communication

While British royals have long supported conservation, Guardians marks a new kind of storytelling - personal, intimate, and centered on frontline perspectives. The series does not feature William as the star. Instead, it amplifies local heroes: Indigenous rangers in the Amazon, marine defenders, and forest guardians whose work is often overlooked.

The launch aligns with the prince's growing belief that climate justice must be locally led.

'If we are serious about achieving climate and biodiversity goals, Indigenous peoples and local communities must be central to the effort—as partners, leaders, and co-creators of solutions,' William declared.

To underscore the sentiment, he was gifted a tiger necklace by Indigenous participants at Thursday's meeting - a symbolic gesture of solidarity and shared commitment.

Building a Legacy with Urgency

Beyond the fanfare of royal speeches and docuseries premieres, William's tone was urgent. 'We are not starting from zero,' he said. 'This is a moment for courage. Let us move forward—united in purpose and committed to protecting nature as the foundation for a just and healthy future for all.'

With Guardians streaming now and his international advocacy gaining momentum, Prince William is proving that climate leadership is no longer optional for modern royals—it is essential.