Sir David Attenborough has been given a second knighthood for his services to television broadcasting and conservation.
Sir David, who grew up in Leicester, was first knighted by the Queen in 1985 but has now been appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael And St George – a higher accolade – in respect of his documentaries about the natural world and his campaigning to save it.
The Prince of Wales, himself a committed environmentalist, bestowed the honour on the 96-year-old at an investiture ceremony held yesterday at Windsor Castle (Wednesday, June 8).
At the recent Platinum Party at the Palace, the climate crisis was introduced by the Sir David, who was projected onto the palace to deliver a heartfelt speech urging viewers to take this moment to reflect on one of the biggest challenges our world is currently facing.
Following Attenborough’s powerful words, Prince William took to a podium to announce that it would serve as a key facet of the royal family’s work moving forward. “As I watch those extraordinary images, it does make me think of all the monumental and pioneering work of so many visionary environmentalists that have gone before,” he said.
“I’m in awe of people like the great Sir David Attenborough who look at the beauty and power of our Earth and then work to celebrate and preserve it.”
In April, Sir David stressed again how the world must take action now to protect nature and the planet, as he was named a Champion of the Earth by the UN’s Environment Programme.
Before becoming the face and voice of the natural world that we all know and love, Sir lived on campus at the University of Leicester from the age of 5.
Professor Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Leicester issued his congratulations to Sir David on behalf of the establishment.
“All of us at the University of Leicester wish to congratulate Sir David on this most prestigious honour”, he said.
“The name ‘Attenborough’ is synonymous with the conservation of our natural world, which is testament to Sir David’s tireless climate campaigning and extensive broadcasting work. He is a Citizen of Change in the truest sense of the word.
“We consider it an honour to have played host to several chapters in the Attenborough Family’s storied history.”
