Prince Harry Praises David Attenborough at 100: The Voice of Nature That the World Still Hears

JAKARTA - Prince Harry paid tribute to Sir David Attenborough ahead of the legendary broadcaster and nature documentary's 100th birthday. For Harry, Attenborough was not just a host. He was a voice that made the world more concerned about nature.

Citing People, Friday, May 8, the tribute was written by Prince Harry in an essay for Time magazine. The Duke of Sussex called Attenborough an important figure for many people who grew up in Great Britain.

"For almost everyone who grew up in the UK, Sir David Attenborough was more than just a broadcaster; he was a secular saint," Harry wrote.

Harry praised Attenborough for being able to make people love nature for decades through documentaries and a calm, clear, and strong way of speaking.

"He earned the world's trust just by showing us that our environment is worth valuing," Harry wrote.

Harry also alluded to Attenborough's warnings about climate change and environmental destruction. According to him, the message felt strong because Attenborough had spent his life documenting the earth up close.

"When a man who has literally seen it all begins to describe the loss of stability of this planet, he is not being provocative," Harry wrote in his essay in Time magazine, quoted by People.

Attenborough turned 100 on May 8. He marked the milestone with a new documentary, Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure, which premiered May 6 on PBS.

The film revisits his famous wildlife series, Life on Earth, including the behind-the-scenes story of the iconic gorilla scene in Rwanda.

In a statement about the documentary, Attenborough said his life coincided with a great era of ocean discovery. He said scientists had discovered new species, huge migrations, and marine ecosystems that far exceeded his young imagination.

Attenborough also stressed that the film shows the deteriorating condition of the sea and how to restore it.

According to National Geographic, the documentary was made over two years and highlights the world's marine ecosystems and the impact of human activities on marine life.

Attenborough also just made history as the oldest Daytime Emmy winner. He won the award for his narration in the Netflix documentary series Secret Lives of Orangutans.

Prince Harry said Attenborough remained trusted because he consistently showed the importance of nature through documentaries and environmental messages for decades.