Prince Harry speaks out for the first time since Prince Philip's funeral
Prince Harry has spoken for the first time since Prince Philip's funeral by paying tribute to his late grandfather in a video for Earth Day.
The 36-year-old returned home to the UK for the first time since moving to the US in March last year to attend the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral service on Saturday.
The Duke of Sussex narrated a video for African Parks, a non-profit conservation organisation of which he is president, where he makes an appeal for protected areas in Africa and pays tribute to Philip.
Harry highlights the importance of resourcing National Parks and Protected Areas so they can deliver essential services such as clean air and water, food security, carbon sequestration, jobs, education and healthcare.
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"As we now begin to move towards an era of global recovery and regeneration, it’s critical that we continue to look at the strengthening and protecting of biodiversity, not just as a value we hold, but as a responsibility that is vital to our way of life," Harry said.
"On this Earth Day, I reflect on generations of conservation champions, including my late grandfather, and feel proud and energised to continue doing my part in this legacy."
This #EarthDay , Prince Harry & African Parks shine a light on the role effectively managed protected areas play in preserving biodiversity & in delivering benefits to local communities in a special re-release of the video “Hope Starts Here”.
Watch now: https://t.co/K8xEaXtsOy pic.twitter.com/ZL3isya6sl— African Parks (@AfricanParks) April 22, 2021
Harry has worked with the organisation since 2016, becoming president in 2017.
Philip spent much of his life advocating for the environment and wildlife, which was highlighted by the Royal Family in a tribute following his passing on April 9.
"The Duke of Edinburgh was a passionate advocate for conservation, wildlife and the environment," they wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of Philip watching the Monarch butterfly's migration.
"Prince Philip was the first President of World Wildlife Fund @wwf_uk, International President of @wwf and then President Emeritus of @wwf until his death. The Prince was also an Honorary Fellow of [the Zoological Society of London].
"The Duke was involved in many conservation efforts throughout his lifetime, from establishing an alliance between religious leaders and conservationists, to travelling across the Southern Pacific Ocean and Antarctica to identify native seabirds."
The post continued, "In 1988, as President of @WWF, The Duke of Edinburgh supported efforts by a conservation group in Mexico to protect the Monarch Butterfly as deforestation and commercial logging posed a serious threat to the species' survival."
"Over the course of his life, The Duke of Edinburgh was associated with 992 charities and organisations, from scientific and tech research to the welfare of young people and the encouragement of sport."
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