Prince William and King Charles Step Out for Rare Joint Outing After William’s Bold Call for ‘Change’ in the Monarchy

The father-son duo attended an event at London’s Natural History Museum, spotlighting conservation efforts — just days after William’s comments on the changes he hopes to make as King

Prince William and King Charles on October 09, 2025 in London, England.Credit : 

Chris Jackson/Getty

Prince William and King Charles stepped out together in London for a rare joint engagement, uniting around one of their deepest shared passions: protecting the planet.

On Oct. 9, the father and son — both lifelong conservationists — attended a pre-COP30 evening at the Natural History Museum, a key event leading up to next year’s 30th United Nations Climate Change conference in Belém, Brazil. The pair joined government leaders, environmental experts and international delegates to spotlight efforts to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss.

The outing comes just days after the release of William’s The Reluctant Traveler episode, in which he opened up about the changes he hopes to make as future king.

“I enjoy change; I don’t fear it,” he says. “That’s the bit that excites me — the idea of being able to bring some change….I want to question things more,” he said in the Oct. 3 episode of the Apple+ travel series.

Despite his call for change, royal observers say his vision is not a rebuke of his father. “This shouldn’t be seen as criticism of King Charles,” historian Robert Lacey tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story. “He is very close to his father and has been his most important supporter.”

Prince William and King Charles on October 09, 2025 in London, England.Chris Jackson/Getty

For William, the timing of Thursday’s event was fitting. The Prince of Wales is set to travel to Brazil next month for his Earthshot Prize, continuing his mission to spotlight innovative ideas that can help repair the planet — a cause that closely mirrors his father’s lifelong environmental advocacy.

On Thursday, the palace announced that William will attend the COP30 World Leaders Summit in Belém, Brazil, on Nov. 6 on behalf of King Charles. He will first be in Rio de Janeiro for The Earthshot Prize Awards on Nov. 5, participating in several environment-related engagements from November 3–5 before traveling to Belém.

Titled “Countdown to COP30: Mobilizing Action for Climate and Nature,” the evening came six weeks ahead of the COP30 Summit, which will bring world leaders together to accelerate global climate action.

During the evening, Charles and William viewed photography by the Woodland Trust — a charity in the U.K. working to preserve forests — before meeting business and finance leaders to hear how they are supporting projects to woodlands.

In the museum’s Hintze Hall, Charles and William also saw displays highlighting innovative solutions developed in the U.K. to some of the world’s climate and nature challenges — echoing William’s drive, via Earthshot Prize, to discover innovative ways to tackle the issues facing the planet.

The reception also showcased some of the powerful films conservation, including the six-part docuseries Guardians, launched — and introduced — by William in June. The films highlight the travails of rangers and other wildlife champions who work in incredibly dangerous circumstances to preserve endangered species around the world.

Prince William and King Charles on October 09, 2025 in London, England.Chris Jackson/Getty

A celebration of Charles’ longstanding and enduring leadership on the issue, an exhibition at the reception — “The Speeches: 50 Years of Speaking Up for the Planet” — looked at the King’s advocacy via his public [pronouncements on the issue.

The royals also met with the Brazilian Ambassador to the U.K., Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, and Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha.

Prince William will travel to Brazil in early November for the Earthshot Prize, which will host its fifth awards ceremony on Nov. 5. The shortlist of companies, organizations — and even cities — vying for the 2025 prizes was unveiled by William on Oct. 4.

Launched in London in 2020, the Earthshot Prize has since staged its annual celebration in Boston, Singapore and Cape Town, South Africa, spotlighting groundbreaking innovations aimed at repairing and protecting the planet.

William also champions a range of environmental charities, like Tusk, of which he is royal patron.

Charles and William follow the late Prince Philip in their environmental commitment. William’s grandfather was one of the original founders of the World Wildlife Fund. For more five decades, Charles has also used his unique platform to champion sustainability.