King Charles Urges Climate Action on Behalf of His Grandchildren: 'They Will Be Living with the Consequences'

Mar. 15, 2025

King Charlesis standing up for the environment on behalf of future generations, including his grandchildren.

The King, 75, made an impassioned speech to world leaders saying now was the time for action, not more words.

Speaking at the opening of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (or COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, he said early Friday, “In 2050, our grandchildren won’t be asking what we said, they will be living with the consequences of what we did or didn’t do."

He called the climate talks “an unmissable opportunity to keep our common hope alive. I can only urge you to meet it with ambition, imagination and a true sense of the emergency we face, and together with a commitment to the practical action upon which our shared future depends.”

King Charles is a grandfather of five:Prince WilliamandKate Middleton’s children —Prince George, 10,Princess Charlotte, 8, andPrince Louis, 5 — andPrince HarryandMeghan Markle’s children —Prince Archie, 4, andPrincess Lilibet, 2.

His speech came as the furor continued over the publication of Omid Scobie’s bookEndgame. It wasrevealedthat the Dutch translation of the book names the members of the royal family involved in a conversation that included acontroversial commentabout the skin color of Meghan and Harry’s son before he was born.

King Charles makes a speech to the COP28 summit in Dubai on Dec. 1, 2023.Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Buckingham Palace had no comment. PEOPLE understands the palace is considering all options regarding the situation.

King Charles, who has been a campaigner on the environment and the perils and consequences of climate change for decades, warned of what he calls the “existential threats facing us over global warming, climate change and biodiversity loss,” he reiterated in his speech on Friday.

King Charles and President of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the COP28 summit on Dec. 1, 2023.Chris Jackson/Getty Images

“Surely real action is required to stem the growing toll of its most vulnerable victims?” he said.

The Sultain of Brunei, King Charles and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, at COP28 on Dec. 1, 2023.Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

He added, “I pray with all my heart that COP28 will be another critical turning point towards genuine transformational action at a time when, already, as scientists have been warning for so long, we are seeing alarming tipping points being reached.”

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King Charles attends COP28 in Dubai on Dec. 1, 2023.Chris Jackson/Getty Images

While King Charles was in Dubai, Prince William and Princess Kate attended the Royal Variety Performance on Thursday evening. As they arrived, the royal coupleignored a reporter’s questionsabout the controversial book. “Your Royal Highness, have you got a comment about Omid Scobie’s book?” and “Did you watch the Piers Morgan show last night, Your Royal Highnesses?” were called out.

The couple didn’t answer or acknowledge the questions, walking towards each other and briefly holding hands before William put a hand on his wife’s back and they walked down the red carpet.

source: people.com