Prince William and Robert Irwin turned heads as they travelled together to a major Earthshot Prize event in London, but it was a brief interaction between the pair that has captured the internet’s attention.
The 44-year-old future King and the 22-year-old Aussie conservationist joined a group of young environmental leaders on a zero-emission electric bus en route to the 2026 Earthshot Prize Impact Assembly at the historic Guildhall during Climate Action Week.
Footage shared on Instagram showed the pair chatting comfortably before boarding the bus.
However, eagle-eyed royal fans were quick to focus on one particular moment, when Robert politely stepped aside and gestured for Prince William to board first.
The seemingly simple act quickly drew praise online, with many applauding the wildlife warrior’s manners and respectful approach.
“Robert is so respectful. How he waits behind Prince William & waits to be introduced, I take my hat off to him, a lovely young man,” one user wrote.
Another commented: “What a gentleman- Robert’s respectful gesture says it all. Love these two together!”
Others were equally enthusiastic about seeing the pair together, with one fan writing: “Our Aussie King with Prince William! Fabulous to see.”
A fourth added: “The prince of Australia with the future king of Britain.”
Several commenters also reflected on the legacy of the two men’s late parents.
Robert’s father, the late wildlife icon Steve Irwin, who died in 2006 after being fatally pierced in the chest by a stingray barb, as well as William’s mother, Princess Diana, who died in a Paris car crash in 1997.
“Steve and Diana would be so proud,” the commenter wrote, while another added: “Steve and Diana looking down smiling, cheering, and high-fiving in heaven.”
The appearance marked another public engagement between William and Robert, who first met after the Australian was named a global ambassador for the Earthshot Prize in 2024.
Speaking to HELLO! magazine after arriving at the event, Robert said it is “always wonderful” spending time with the Prince of Wales.
“It’s always wonderful catching up with Prince William,” Irwin told the outlet.
“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.”
Robert also praised William’s commitment to environmental causes, saying his passion is a major reason behind the success of the Earthshot Prize.
“I’m always reminded of his (William’s) leadership and his authentic passion,” he said.
“The Earthshot Prize would not be the success that it is without someone at the helm who really cares, and that is him.
“He cares very, very deeply, and you know someone with his platform that is just mobilised, creating as much change as possible, is fantastic.”
The Earthshot Prize, launched by Prince William in 2020, seeks to identify and scale innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Robert confirmed he will travel to Mumbai later this year for the sixth annual Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony and revealed he is still hoping Australia will one day host the prestigious event before its current run 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, yeah, the sights are set on Mumbai. But Australia would welcome Prince William with open arms at any point.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.skynews.com.au ’
