Royal Family honors Prince Philip's conservation efforts with stunning butterfly photograph
Prince Philip's conservation work has been celebrated in the gorgeous photograph
The Royal Family has paid tribute to the wildlife conservation efforts of Prince Philip, who has died aged 99.
- The Royal Family has paid tribute to the environmental activism of Prince Philip, following his death at the age of 99 on Friday.
- Prince Philip was known for his interest in wildlife conservation, serving as President of the World Wide Fund for Nature for 15 years.
- In other royal news, Prince Harry arrives back in the UK alone to join the Royal Family in mourning.
The late Duke of Edinburgh was known for his environmental activism, a passion he developed during his military career.
He was appointed President of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in 1981, serving as head of the organization for fifteen years. During his tenure with the WWF, he was involved in numerous initiatives to advance environmental causes. The duke visited over 50 countries on five continents, using his high-profile status to publicly advocate and fundraise for various projects.
Prince Philip was particularly concerned was the protection of the endangered Monarch Butterfly population in Mexico. The species' survival has been under for over twenty years due to deforestation, logging, and climate change. Cooler winters could potentially cause the butterflies to die off, while warmer summers could move suitable habitats northwards. The WWF collaborates with Mexico's government and local conservationist bodies to address this issue by restoring forest habitats and promoting sustainable tourism.
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 & commercial logging posed a serious threat to the species' survival.📷The Duke watches the Monarch butterfly's migration. pic.twitter.com/c5vqFnQee4April 11, 2021
The Royal Family has now shared a glimpse of Prince Philip's work with the foundation with the public, posting a photo of the duke as he watches the Monarch butterflies' migration in 1988.
Prince Philip resigned as President in 1996, but continued to contribute to its wildlife conservation projects as a patron. Dr. Claude Martin, the Director-General of the WWF internationally from 1993 to 2005, detailed his experience working with the duke to Sky News following his death.
"He had a genuine interest in conservation," he revealed. "Since he was in the Navy, he started getting interested in birds, there must have been something from childhood, that was not the only a trigger for him but that made him interested in the world."
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
Martin also believes that, although Prince Philip was never outrightly vocal about the climate emergency, he was one of the first significant people of the era to encourage businesses to take action.
"That was daring at the time...it was very different times. That was not the thinking of the business people in the early 1990s. I think he played an important role in putting this on the world agenda with heads of state as well."
Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.
Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.
-
Amal Clooney's silver two-piece is the unexpected solution to my Christmas party outfit dilemma
Her beautiful co-ord is the perfect combination of comfort and eye-catching style
By Kerrie Hughes Published
-
Can you bake Christmas cake in an air fryer? Yes, I did - and it was so much quicker than the oven
So you can bake cupcakes, bagels, and flapjacks but how about a Christmas cake in an air fryer? Here's a step-by-step guide to the bake
By Jessica Dady Published
-
32 candid photos that capture the real Prince Philip - from having a belly laugh to meeting celebrities
We look back at some of Prince Philip's funniest (and most heartwarming) moments, from sharing a joke with other royals to getting very into sporting events
By Elena Kiratzi Published
-
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s sleep divorce might sound radical but it’s right on trend today
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip reportedly slept separately and this is said to be something the 'upper class' have 'always' done
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Prince Philip’s royal tradition Princess Anne chose to uphold with her children - but none of her brothers did!
Prince Philip’s royal tradition was something his sons chose not to continue with their children but Princess Anne's kids enjoyed it
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
The sweet tradition Prince George, Princess Charlotte and their cousins might continue this year
The young royals could carry on a tradition that goes back to Prince Philip this summer
By Jack Slater Published
-
We love Queen Elizabeth II's sassy response to a rather rude remark reportedly made by Prince Philip
The Queen was known for her quick wit
By Robyn Morris Published
-
How George could follow in Charles's footsteps with special honor for little brother Prince Louis when he is King
Prince George could follow in King Charles's footsteps and give his brother a special honor
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
August Brooksbank looks just like Prince Harry in latest sweet snap shared by Princess Eugenie
Princess Eugenie posted a sweet picture of her son August
By Robyn Morris Published
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were 'hoping' Buckingham Palace would announce Archie and Lilibet's new titles before they did
Harry and Meghan were reportedly hoping that the Palace would 'jump the gun' says royal expert
By Robyn Morris Published