Robert Irwin won over fans in London on Tuesday after sharing a very Australian moment with Prince William during a public appearance.
The 22-year-old wildlife conservationist was captured stepping off a specially branded electric double-decker bus with the Prince of Wales, before casually turning to the royal and saying: “Yeah, no worries.”
The laid-back response quickly caught attention online, with viewers noting how relaxed and friendly the pair appeared as they made their way together to meet waiting media.
Robert’s appearance in the UK also clarified why he was missing from the Logie Awards nominations announcement in Sydney on Monday.
Rather than attending the Australian television event, he was in London representing Australia at Prince William’s Earthshot Prize Impact Assembly, hosted at the city’s historic Guildhall.
William, 44, arrived at the venue aboard the special electric bus, which carried the route number “2030” to mark the 3,000th electric bus added to the Transport for London fleet.
Robert Irwin delighted fans with a very Australian exchange with Prince William during a public appearance in London on Tuesday
Robert and the future King were also joined by two young environmental campaigners ahead of a keynote address celebrating the growing reach and influence of William’s Earthshot Prize initiative.
Founded in 2020, the Earthshot Prize awards £5million each year to innovators developing solutions to combat climate change and environmental challenges, while also providing mentorship and global support.
Addressing finalists, previous winners and global business leaders, William said he was feeling increasingly optimistic about the world’s environmental future.
‘I always hoped The Earthshot Prize would show the world evidence of progress – progress towards what felt like immense climate and nature goals,’ he said.
‘Today we have more than belief. We now have proof. Solutions are working. Capital is moving. Policy is shifting. Partnerships are forming.
‘Our finalists are calling. Progress is starting to build on itself. This is why I feel more optimistic than ever.
‘Not because the challenge is smaller than it was, not because the science is less urgent, but because the proof is stronger than ever before.’
Robert, who has become one of the most recognisable young faces in global conservation, was equally glowing in his praise for the Prince.
The wildlife conservationist was filmed stepping off a branded electric double-decker bus alongside the Prince of Wales before casually turning to the royal to say: ‘Yeah, no worries’
‘It’s always wonderful catching up with Prince William,’ he said.
‘The last time I saw him, he FaceTimed me during Dancing with the Stars to wish me well on that. I got to represent conservation to a stage I never thought I would be doing. So it was great.’
The Dancing with the Stars winner said William’s commitment to environmental issues was impossible to ignore.
‘I’m always reminded of his leadership and his authentic passion. The Earthshot Prize would not be the success that it is without someone at the helm who really cares, and that is him,’ Robert said.
‘He cares very, very deeply, and someone with his platform that is just mobilised, creating as much change as possible, is fantastic.’
Robert, who attended the 2024 Earthshot Prize ceremony in Cape Town and last year’s Impact Assembly in London, added that William’s dedication had remained consistent over the years.
‘He’s been doing this for a very long time, and I really think that he’s seen firsthand what it is that the world needs,’ he said.
‘I think it’s just fantastic that he uses his platform to unite people. I think that is very, very important.
Robert and the future King were joined by two young environmental campaigners before delivering a keynote address celebrating the growing impact of his Earthshot Prize initiative
The 22-year-old’s trip to the UK also explains why he was notably absent from the Logie Awards nominations announcement in Sydney on Monday
‘You can’t fake passion. When you see it, it’s undeniable. That’s every interaction I have with him.’
Robert also confirmed he will travel to Mumbai later this year for the sixth annual Earthshot Prize ceremony and revealed he is still hopeful Australia could eventually host the prestigious event before it concludes in 2030.
‘I would love Australia. I hope so. I have all of my fingers crossed,’ he said.
‘I think it would be fantastic. But for now, the sights are set on Mumbai. Australia would welcome Prince William with open arms at any point.’
Speaking during London’s sweltering heatwave, Robert said the unusually high temperatures served as a reminder of why the environmental work remained so important.
‘I mean, it’s a reminder of what we’re here for, isn’t it?’ he said.
Reflecting on the day’s event, Robert said seeing so many successful environmental projects gave him hope for the future.
‘It’s very reassuring. The world is moving in the right direction, and we have to take the wins, we really do,’ he said.
‘When you’re working with the Earthshot Prize, something that is literally centred around solutions, instead of focusing on everything going wrong, let’s reward those that are making it right.
‘For too long environmentalism has felt like this big mountain that we just can’t approach.
‘But the Earthshot Prize shows us that if we work together, it’s not just possible, but it’s necessary.’
Earlier this week his I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! co-host Julia Morris carted around a cardboard cut-out of him at the Logie Awards nominations in Sydney.
Julia’s artistic streak didn’t go unnoticed as she trotted around the event.
Her life-sized cut-out of Robert was dressed in his Australia Zoo khaki uniform, with an intimidating snake peeking out for good measure.
It was enough for guests to do a double take.
Julia was understandably reflective on Monday morning as the nominations were being handed out following the announcement Channel 10 has opted to put I’m A Celebrity on pause.
‘It’s the end of an era. I probably won’t notice the heartbreak until it’s time to go to the jungle,’ she told Daily Mail.
‘It was 12 years in a row – and that jungle saved my life on so many different levels. How could I not be anything but grateful?’
‘I gotta go and find some work, if you know what I’m saying,’ she continued.
But it’s not all bad news.
Both Robert and Julia have been nominated for a Gold Logie for their hard work on I’m a Celebrity.
