Prince William reveals why he's following in David Attenborough's footsteps

Prince William is taking a bold step into the world of nature storytelling, and he’s got Sir David Attenborough in his sights as inspiration.

The Prince of Wales just launched Guardians, a six-part digital docu-series dedicated to spotlighting the unsung heroes of conservation, wildlife rangers working on the front lines across the globe. 

The royal says his goal is to channel the magic of Attenborough’s iconic documentaries while bringing a fresh, personal lens to the vital work being done to protect the planet.

“Rangers are particularly unknown, their stories unseen, they are the unsung heroes of the natural world,” William said at the screening event. 

“This is all about highlighting them and realising how dangerous and difficult this job is.”

William, who introduces each episode, sat down with presenter Michaela Strachan and International Rangers Federation VP Rohit Singh — one of the series’ advisors — for a panel discussion on the importance of the project.

“David Attenborough was a big inspiration for me growing up,” the Prince said. “I hope this series reminds people that there are still beautiful parts of the world, that there is still hope — and incredible people out there making a difference.”

Michaela agreed, noting how rangers are often misunderstood. “It’s such a dangerous job — underfunded and frequently in hostile environments,” she said. “But they’re more than just guards. They’re educators, scientists, first responders.”

What is the docuseries about? 

Released by The Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife, Guardians will roll out weekly episodes (6–10 minutes each) on BBC Earth’s YouTube and social channels.

From the towering peaks of the Himalayas to Brazil’s remote rainforests, the series offers exclusive access to the daily lives of rangers risking everything to preserve Earth’s most fragile ecosystems.

The first episode, out now, follows Dzangha-Sangha, a former poacher turned protector in the Central African Republic, a powerful story of redemption and purpose.

RELATED: Prince William opens up on 'the very worst pain' he felt in emotional new statement