King Charles is tipped to be seen "as never before" in an upcoming documentary set to hit screens over the Christmas period.
In the "sobering" new programme, adventurer Steve Backshall will follow in royal footsteps across the Canadian Arctic, fifty years after the then-Prince of Wales’s pioneering expedition to the region.
The original 1975 trip saw Charles explore the frozen north, taking part in dog sledding and undertaking dives beneath Arctic ice whilst immersing himself in Inuit culture.
This formative Canadian journey profoundly influenced the future monarch's environmental philosophy and his conviction that humanity must exist in harmony with nature.
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The 90-minute feature documentary, scheduled for ITV's festive programming, will see Mr Backshall share a heartfelt conversation with King Charles on ecological destruction in the polar region.
He will then retrace Charles’s 1975 journey to see the dramatic environmental changes for himself.
The upcoming show’s director, Marshall Corwin, declared: "It has been a real privilege - and eye-opener - seeing His Majesty the King as never before: his extreme spirit of adventure, his genuine passion for the planet, and his mischievous sense of humour."
Mr Backshall himself was similarly awed, sharing: "To see the Arctic through The King's eyes then and now was both inspiring and sobering."
King Charles tipped to be seen ‘as never before’ in a 'sobering’ new documentary
|GETTY
"Standing where the King once stood, diving beneath the same Arctic ice he explored half a century ago, was humbling beyond words," he added.
The adventurer also praised King Charles for raising awareness of environmental destruction half a century ago.
"His Majesty was raising the alarm for the natural world long before most of us realised how urgent that call would become," Mr Backshall said.
The adventurer added: "His commitment to protecting our planet runs through every fibre of this story."
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Adventurer Steve Backshall retrace the steps of an Arctic expedition that the King embarked on in 1975
BUCKINGHAM PALACE / PA
Executive Producer Nicky Cox described the King's environmental dedication as "visionary", noting the film serves as testimony to his leadership and the Arctic's delicate beauty.
The programme, titled Steve Backshall's Royal Arctic Challenge, will explore how the Arctic has transformed over five decades.
It will also highlight conservation efforts aimed at preserving this vulnerable landscape.
The upcoming documentary is a collaboration between ITV and Fresh Start Media.
Mr Backshall described the experience as 'humbling beyond words'
|ITV / PA
Darren Narty, ITV's Head of Acquisitions, said: "We are thrilled to be able to bring this stunning documentary to ITV.
"It’s fascinating to see His Majesty look back on his time exploring the Arctic as a young man and then hear him speak about his continued passion for helping the planet," he added.
King Charles has continued his environmental advocacy 50 years after his exhibition and accession to the throne.
His son and heir, Prince William, has carried on the mantle and will headline Cop30 in Brazil next month.
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