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Robert Irwin Shares What It's Really Like to Have Prince William on Speed Dial

Robert Irwin opens up about the close friendship he has developed over the years with Prince William.

It’s not every day you spot Prince William strolling through central London. It’s even rarer to see him casually chatting alongside Australian wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin. Yet, that is exactly what lucky onlookers witnessed on a recent afternoon, while they were trying to go about their day. Following the surprise outing, Irwin has opened up about his close bond with the Prince of Wales.

Appearing on This Morning on Wednesday, June 24, he spoke with hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley about their recent outing—a special event honoring the Earthshot Prize winners and finalists. The two of them were seen hopping onto a green London bus as they animatedly chatted about things.

For several years, the two of them have forged a close working relationship through the Earthshot Prize, a prestigious global environmental initiative launched by William in 2020. Irwin, carrying on his late father Steve Irwin’s legendary conservation legacy, officially joined the initiative as an Earthshot Prize Ambassador, where he brings a lifetime of hands-on wildlife conservation experience and a massive, youth-focused social media reach to amplify the cause.

Speaking on This Morning, Irwin called William a “passionate individual" who shares his vision for a sustainable world. Calling him “one of the greatest environmentalists that we have on the planet,” Irwin recalled a moment he shared with William just last year that showcased their close bond—not just as colleagues, but also as friends. Watch the video here.

While competing on the 34th season of Dancing With the Stars, Irwin received an unexpected call from the future king. Recalling the surprise, he revealed, "He FaceTimed me in rehearsals with my dance partner, just to wish me well on all the dancing.” The royal encouragement clearly paid off, as Irwin went on to win the competition, making history alongside his older sister, Bindi (who won Season 21), as the first sibling duo to take home the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.

As for Steve and William’s recent casual stroll through central London, it wasn't just a friendly catch-up; it was part of a collaborative effort to promote the upcoming Earthshot Prize awards and film content highlighting the inspiring finalists working to save the planet. In an exciting global shift, the Earthshot Prize has announced that its 2026 awards ceremony will be held in Mumbai, India, this coming November.

By moving the ceremony to South Asia after hosting it in London, Boston, Singapore, and Cape Town, the Earthshot Prize highlights its focus on helping areas hardest hit by climate change. Now, William and Irwin are using their global influence to build excitement for the November event, helping the next group of eco-innovators get the worldwide funding and recognition they need to grow.