Prince William Makes Bold Plea in Monaco as He Steps Up on the World Stage

Prince William significantly escalated his global profile today, delivering a stirring solo speech at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco on the eve of World Oceans Day. His attendance marked a defining moment in his environmental diplomacy—sharing the stage with leaders like France’s Emmanuel Macron, Costa Rica’s Rodrigo Chaves Robles, and Monaco’s Prince Albert.

In a poignant address, the Prince underscored the critical state of the world’s oceans—reminding the audience that they generate roughly half the planet’s oxygen, support over three billion people, yet remain woefully underprotected at only 3% coverage, far from the 30% target by 2030. He proclaimed ocean conservation as a “global imperative,” urging governments and industries to take swift, coordinated action

William emphasized both the scale of the problem and the potential for solutions. Highlighting successes from his Earthshot Prize—including Coral Vita’s coral restoration and Pristine Seas’ protected marine areas the size of Germany—he celebrated ongoing progress.

His speech resonated with “urgent optimism”, balancing calls to action with tangible proof of impact. He reiterated that while oceans are under severe threat from warming, pollution, and overfishing, they still possess the capacity to recover—if united, global efforts rise promptly.

This Monaco event also bore personal weight. With King Charles currently undergoing cancer treatment, William is increasingly filling the role of global statesman for the monarchy. He has used this platform to deepen his international profile—and reinforce his commitment to environmental stewardship.

Just a day prior, Kensington Palace released a short film of William’s candid conversation with Sir David Attenborough, whose forthcoming documentary “Ocean” reportedly shocked him with scenes of deep-sea devastation. Their exchange added another layer of urgency to William’s public message.

As the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in France approaches, Prince William’s Monaco plea marks a pivotal step in his evolution—from heir to active global advocate. It signals a deliberate shift toward purposeful environmental diplomacy, leveraging influence, funding, and policy to drive change.