In a moving tribute that bridged continents and generations, the Prince of Wales honoured the enduring legacy of Australian conservation icon Steve Irwin during a special event in Brisbane.
A Royal Tribute to a Wildlife Legend
Prince William made a surprise video appearance at the annual Steve Irwin Gala held in Brisbane on Saturday, delivering a heartfelt message that celebrated the late Crocodile Hunter's extraordinary passion for wildlife conservation. The event brought together celebrities, friends, and the Irwin family to support Wildlife Warriors Worldwide, the non-profit organization founded by Steve and Terri Irwin.
The Prince of Wales, who has championed environmental protection through his Earthshot Prize initiative, spoke warmly about Steve Irwin's global impact. "Steve's mission in life was to safeguard life on our planet and tonight's event is all about carrying forward that dedication to conservation and the natural world," William stated in his opening address.
Shared Conservation Values
William emphasized the alignment between his Earthshot Prize and the Irwin family's ongoing work through Wildlife Warriors Worldwide. "Both the Earthshot Prize and Wildlife Warriors share a powerful mission to protect and restore our planet and give hope for the next generation," he explained during his video message.
The royal particularly highlighted his friendship with Steve's son, Robert Irwin, who serves as an ambassador for the Earthshot Prize. "We couldn't have asked for a more passionate and committed ambassador in Robert and he's not a bad dancer either, that clearly runs in the family too," William joked, referencing Robert's recent Dancing With The Stars victory on November 25.
Continuing the Irwin Legacy
The Steve Irwin Gala represents an annual celebration of the original wildlife warrior's life and legacy, held simultaneously in Brisbane and Las Vegas to honour Steve's larger-than-life personality and extraordinary passion for wildlife. The event specifically supports the critical conservation work that the Irwin family continues to advance through Wildlife Warriors Worldwide.
Prince William acknowledged this ongoing commitment, noting that "today his family continue this work towards these critical goals." He praised their dedication to realizing Steve's vision of "clean air, abundant, healthy oceans and a stable climate for future generations."
The royal concluded with a call to action that echoed Steve Irwin's famous enthusiasm: "Never before has it been so important for every single one of us to make environmentally conscious decisions and prioritise our natural world to be wildlife warriors."
