New documentary revisits his alarming Arctic dive and his fears about the
planet
A striking photograph of King Charles during a perilous Arctic dive in 1975
has resurfaced as part of a new ITV documentary. The royal family’s official
Instagram shared the underwater image, showing His Majesty in a full-face
diving mask and breathing apparatus, pressed against the underside of an icy
sheet. Above him, cracks and trapped air bubbles mark the frozen surface,
giving a vivid sense of the conditions he faced on the trip.
The post teased an upcoming programme that follows adventurer Steve Backshall
as he retraces the King’s journey to the Canadian Arctic and examines how the
region has changed over the past fifty years. Viewers will be able to watch
Steve Backshall’s Royal Arctic Challenge on 18 December at 8.30pm on ITV.
The documentary also includes a conversation between the King and Backshall.
In it, His Majesty speaks openly about his concern for the planet and his
determination not to leave his grandchildren facing what he called a “ghastly
legacy of horror.” He said he feels a responsibility to keep pressing for
action because the younger generations deserve a world in better shape than
the one he inherited.
He explained that he has dedicated decades to environmental work because he
does not want his grandchildren to feel he ignored the crisis. Ensuring the
planet is not left in a worse state, he said, remains at the heart of his
efforts.
