King Charles breaks down his fears for the next generation in powerful new film

King Charles is revealing a deeply personal wish for his grandchildren, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, as he speaks candidly about the terrifying legacy climate change could leave behind.

In a new feature-length documentary with adventurer and TV favourite Steve Backshall, the monarch admits he is more determined than ever to fight for the planet on behalf of the younger generations.

Charles warns that unless action is taken, he fears leaving “a ghastly legacy of horror” for those who come after him.

The documentary follows Backshall as he retraces the King’s 1975 journey to the Canadian Arctic, 50 years after a young, 26-year-old Prince Charles threw himself into extreme conditions, from a freezing under-ice scuba dive to skidooing at 50mph.

Meeting at Buckingham Palace before filming began, Charles told Backshall: “I am riveted that you want to do this, 50 years later.” When asked what he remembers most, he didn’t hesitate: “Well, diving under the ice. That I vividly remember.”

The pair bonded instantly as they flipped through rare, never-before-seen images from the King’s personal collection. When asked whether he was nostalgic about the trip, Charles gave a typically self-deprecating reply: “Yes, I think I am too old to go back. But yes, absolutely. So, thank God, I was younger in those days. I could never have survived it now.”

A source, per Express, described their connection as “a tremendously warm rapport” with shared passion on countless issues.

The King reflects on how grateful he is to have seen the Arctic “as it should be”, noting that the region is now warming up to four times faster than the global average.

Backshall visits Coronation Glacier, revealing shocking evidence of its retreat: “Where I am standing right now within a decade or so all of this ice is going to be gone… Scientists warn we ignore these melting glaciers at our peril.”

Charles stresses the importance of listening to indigenous communities, saying: “Their knowledge is absolutely crucial now for helping to rescue the situation.”

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