Prince Philip would have been ’embarrassed’ by the Queen’s ‘deeply personal’ speech praising his dedication to the environment representatives at the COP26 summit tonight. the late Duke’s biographer has claimed.
Her Majesty, 95, who was forced to miss the conference after her overnight stay in hospital last month, told leaders via video how the ‘impact of the environment on human progress was a cause ‘close to the heart of my dear late husband’.
Addressing Government representatives at the reception for the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, she recalled an academic gathering in 1969 in which Philip warned how ‘critical’ it was to address climate change.
Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, royal biographer Robert Jobson, who penned Prince Philip’s Century, called the speech ‘wonderful’, but says Philip, who died aged 99 in April, would have been left red-faced by the public show of affection.
The Queen told leaders via video how the ‘impact of the environment on human progress was a cause ‘close to the heart of my dear late husband’ in her ‘deeply personal’ speech to representatives at the COP26 summit tonight
“I thought it had a wonderful, personal touch. It is a tribute for Prince Philip, who was a visionary. He would have been ashamed. It shows how proud she was about him,’ he explained.
“He was a great advocate for nature and the environment. He was a visionary who worked tirelessly to save endangered species by creating the World Wildlife Fund for Nature.
Nigel Cawthorne a royal biographer, stated that Prince Philip would not consent to public displays affections after his death earlier this year. However, the royals outpouring of sorrow for Prince Philip had signalled an evolution in the monarchy’s approach to emotion.
He told FEMAIL that Charles and the Queen appear to have broken the rule.
Femail was interviewed by him and he stated that he thought it was a wonderful, deeply personal touch. A tribute to a visionary man, like Prince Philip. The pair are pictured in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle in September 2020
Charles’ increased influence means that the stiff upper lip is no more. It is likely to be phased-out as out of tune with times.
The monarch gave her most personal speech yet: “I am delighted to greet you all at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference; it is perhaps fitting that we have come together in Glasgow. Once a heartland for the industrial revolution, now a place to address the climate change.
“This is a responsibility I am particularly happy to fulfill, as the effect of the environment on human development was a subject close in the heart of my dear husband, Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh.
‘I remember well that in 1969, he told an academic gathering: ‘If the world pollution situation is not critical at the moment, it is as certain as anything can be, that the situation will become increasingly intolerable within a very short time … If we fail to cope with this challenge, all the other problems will pale into insignificance.’
At the COP26 summit, in Glasgow, representatives of governments and world leaders addressed the issue climate change.
Her Majesty spoke out about how deeply involved she was in the matter, and stated that she could not be prouder of her husband Charles, her eldest son Charles, and William for their efforts to protect our fragile planet’.
She continued: ‘It is a source of great pride to me that the leading role my husband played in encouraging people to protect our fragile planet, lives on through the work of our eldest son Charles and his eldest son William.
“I couldn’t be prouder of them.” Indeed, I have drawn great comfort and inspiration from the relentless enthusiasm of people of all ages – especially the young – in calling for everyone to play their part.’
Yesterday Charles, 72, – who flew from Rome’s G20 summit to the conference today – demanded action on climate change as he warned world leaders they have an ‘overwhelming responsibility to generations yet unborn.
He stated that the UN climate conference, which opened in Glasgow on Sunday, is ‘quite literally the last chance saloon to save the planet.
While recognising the urgent need to act on climate change, the prince said to G20 leaders in Rome, “I am finally sensing a change of attitudes and the buildup of positive momentum.”
The heir to power stressed that the world’s leaders have an ‘overwhelming obligation to generations yet to be born’.
He said to the G20 politicians, “It is impossible to not hear the despairing voices young people who see in you the stewards and protectors of the planet, holding their future in your hands.”
Charles added, “Cop 26” begins in Glasgow on Sunday. It is literally the last saloon.
“We must now translate fine terms into even more effective actions, as the enormity if the climate challenge dominates people’s conversation from newsrooms and living rooms.
“And since the future of humanity as well as nature is at stake, it’s time to forget our differences and grab this unique opportunity for a substantial green revival by putting the world’s economy on a secure sustainable trajectory. We can save our planet.
Her Majesty spoke about leaders in another part of her speech. She encouraged them to ‘earn an place in history’, answer the call from those future generations’, to ‘rise above the politics of today and achieve true statesmanship.
She went on to say that ‘none of us will live forever’ and ‘we are doing this not for ourselves but for our children and our children’s children, and those who will follow in their footsteps’ as she urged leaders to reach decisive COP climate change deals.
Boris Johnson warned world leaders that they cannot afford to delay major climate change action at the COP26 summit. He said that ‘the longer it takes, the worse it gets’.
This evening Prince Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton hosted a royal reception at the popular Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, a short distance from where the climate summit was being held.
Kate, 39 years old, looked poised in a blue coat and navy heels as Prince William walked alongside her in a dapper suit.
The Duchess wore her hair down in a low bun for tonight’s ceremony. She was accompanied by Prince Charles, Camilla and Duchess of Cornwall, as well as key members from the Sustainable Markets Initiative, and the Winners and Finalists for the first Earthshot Prize Awards.
Her custom dress was from Eponine’s SS20 collection. It is made from a double wool crepe material. The price is available upon application. Similar dresses cost about $3,278.
Camilla, 74 years old, chose a teal Bruce Oldfield with buttons from another outfit.
William and Kate’s appearance comes just hours after royal couple, both 39, visited Alexandra Park Sports Hub in Dennistoun to meet with Scouts from and learn more about the group’s’ #PromiseToThePlanet campaign.
This is the couple’s first engagement since arriving in Scotland for the COP26 conference, which brought together world leaders to discuss urgent climate change action.
The Royal Family has always been connected to conservation. Prince Philip, a lifelong ornithology enthusiast and longtime conservationist, previously stated that he learned conservation principles from farming.
In 2020 Prince William took over as Patron for the British Trust for Ornithology, which aims to ensure wildlife is preserved for generations to come, whilst also working to promote the benefits of the natural world on our health and wellbeing.
His interest in seabirds began in 1956 when he was on a Royal Yacht Britannia trip between New Zealand, Antarctica.