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King Charles III is clearly thinking about his legacy as he unveils “Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision,” a new documentary that articulates his lifelong environmental philosophy. The film, which premiered at Windsor Castle with celebrities including narrator Kate Winslet in attendance, presents Charles’s vision that humanity must restore balance with nature to address global warming and other pressing challenges.
“It all boils down to the fact that we are actually nature ourselves, we are a part of it, not apart from it, which is really how things are being presented for so long,” Charles says in the documentary’s closing moments. Drawing on Shakespeare, the 77-year-old monarch adds, “Maybe, by the time I shuffle off this mortal coil, there might be a little more awareness… of the need to bring things back together again.”
The film serves as a platform for Charles to elaborate on ideas first presented in his 2010 book “Harmony: A New Way of Looking at Our World,” asserting that humans must work with nature rather than against it to thrive. It also provides an opportunity to counter critics who have dismissed him as a dilettante without focus, arguing instead that his varied interests—from climate change to urban planning, sustainable agriculture, traditional crafts, and interfaith understanding—form a coherent vision for creating sustainable communities.
The documentary acknowledges past criticism, including ridicule Charles faced after a 1986 television interview where he mentioned talking to his plants. “Those criticisms really upset him. He got treated very unfairly, seen very unfairly, and those of us that knew him better were quite upset by that,” says Ian Skelly, co-author of the king’s 2010 book.
Charles’s environmental advocacy dates back to at least 1971 when, as a Cambridge undergraduate, he delivered his first speech on conservation. His practical contributions include founding a successful organic food company and helping develop a sustainable village in western England.
Environmentalist Tony Juniper, who collaborated with the king on both the film and book, believes Charles brings unique credibility to these issues, having championed environmental causes long before they entered the mainstream and continuing to do so even as other world leaders prioritize energy security and economic growth over environmental protection.
“I do feel as though the world is now hungry for some new big ideas,” Juniper remarked. “And I do hope that one of those big ideas that people would like to consider as we face into these multiple challenges of the 2020s and beyond is the idea of harmony.”
The timing of this film appears strategic. While Charles first explored the concept of harmony 16 years ago, Amazon Prime’s global reach offers an unprecedented opportunity to disseminate his message worldwide. Moreover, royal historian Ed Owens suggests the king is deliberately refocusing public attention after two challenging years dominated by personal and family issues.
Since ascending to the throne, Charles has contended with a cancer diagnosis that temporarily sidelined him from public duties in early 2024, ongoing tensions with Prince Harry, and the scandal surrounding his brother Andrew’s connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. With Charles seemingly recovering from his health challenges and Prince Andrew stripped of his royal titles, the documentary represents an opportunity to reset the narrative.
“He wants to set out what his legacy is as a monarch—as a significant member of this Windsor family for going on 80 years,” explains Owens, author of “After Elizabeth: Can the Monarchy Save Itself?” “This is about him giving us a clear indication of what he thinks matters in terms of his public image and persona, what he wants us to take away from him as his defining characteristics.”
“Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision” will be available on Amazon Prime from February 6, offering viewers worldwide insight into the environmental philosophy that Charles hopes will define his reign and legacy.
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9 Comments
It’s interesting to see King Charles use his documentary to elaborate on the ideas first presented in his 2010 book “Harmony.” His emphasis on working collaboratively with nature, rather than dominating it, is an important perspective as we grapple with climate change and other environmental challenges.
It’s refreshing to see a public figure like King Charles using his platform to advocate for environmental harmony and sustainability. His philosophical approach of reconnecting humanity with nature is thought-provoking, even if it challenges traditional royal norms. Curious to see if his documentary resonates with a wider audience.
Interesting that King Charles is using his platform to advocate for environmental harmony. While some may see him as out-of-touch, his lifelong commitment to sustainability deserves recognition. Curious to see if his message resonates and drives meaningful change.
While some may dismiss King Charles’s environmental advocacy, I think it’s valuable for a public figure of his stature to use their platform to raise awareness. His philosophical approach of reconnecting humanity with nature is thought-provoking, even if it’s not a traditional royal endeavor.
King Charles’s documentary provides an interesting platform for him to articulate his longstanding environmental philosophy. While some may view him as a dilettante, his commitment to sustainability over the decades is commendable. It will be intriguing to see if his unorthodox messaging resonates with a wider audience.
While some may dismiss King Charles as out-of-touch, his lifelong dedication to environmental causes deserves respect. I’m intrigued by his philosophical approach of restoring balance between humanity and nature. Hopefully the documentary sparks meaningful dialogue on these critical issues.
King Charles seems to have a genuine passion for environmental issues, going back decades. It’s admirable that he’s using his position to spread awareness, even if his methods are untraditional for a monarch. Let’s hope his documentary inspires people to rethink their relationship with nature.
I’m glad to see King Charles using his influence to promote environmental conservation. His message of working with nature, rather than against it, is an important one as we grapple with climate change. Curious to learn more about the specific ideas he presents in the documentary.
King Charles has clearly given a lot of thought to humanity’s relationship with the natural world. His documentary seems to present a holistic, spiritual take on environmental stewardship. It will be interesting to see if his untraditional messaging resonates with the public.