King Charles journeys to Hampton Court Palace for sustainability event

The King viewed exhibits showcasing real-world innovations developed by industries using energy-efficient building materials.

His Majesty spoke with CEOs, hearing about their experience of the two-day summit.

Charles then met with guests at the reception, as the monarch discussed the importance of sustainability.

The SMI was founded by the King and Prince William to showcase the importance of investments in the sustainability sector.

The initiative has two clear mandates known as The Terra Carta and the Astra Carta, which focus on the private sector to contribute to the world's 2030 targets for nature, people and planet.

At the event, Charles was greeted by Jen Jordan-Saifi, head of the SMI, who said the organisation was "absolutely delighted" to have been joined by the King.

Ms Jordan-Saifi said: "We were absolutely delighted that His Majesty joined us today to see first-hand the remarkable support behind the Sustainable Markets Initiative and the exhibition showcasing the work of our member companies.

"His Majesty founded the SMI with a clear vision - that the private sector must play a decisive role in delivering the sustainable transition. What we are seeing at this summit is that vision in action, with CEOs from around the world coming together to deliver practical solutions and real progress."

Charles smiled and nodded as he spoke to the designers, hailing some of the projects as "fantastic" and "magnificent".

His Majesty highlighted the importance of sustainability in his recent Prime Video documentary.

Charles issued a stark warning in the film, Finding Harmony: A King's Vision, urging viewers to respect the planet since "it's unlikely there is anywhere else" for us to live.

The documentary features narration by Kate Winslet and explores the monarch's longstanding commitment to environmental causes.

The film seeks to introduce a fresh generation to the King's philosophy, centred on achieving balance between people and the natural world.

In the documentary, the King articulates his belief that following the principle of harmony is essential "if we're going to ensure that this planet can support so many".

He emphasised humanity's intrinsic connection to the environment, stating: "We are nature ourselves. We are a part of it, not apart from it."

Contributors to the film recall how the monarch's forthright positions on environmental matters, spanning topics from urban development to agricultural practices, had "upset a lot of people in authority" over the years.

While some interviewees note that critics have spent half a century attempting to dissuade him from his stance, others maintain "he was there at the beginning, saying the truth, and ultimately the world has seen that he is right".

Dame Amelia Fawcett, chairman of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew trustees, describes him as "the still point in the turning world when it comes to nature".

Production on the documentary spanned the entirety of 2025, with cameras capturing footage at Dumfries House, the King's Foundation headquarters in Scotland, as well as Highgrove, his Gloucestershire residence, where students acquire traditional heritage skills.

Filming also extended across four continents for the project.

The documentary draws upon the King's 2010 publication, Harmony: A New Way of Looking at Our World, a 300-page work he co-authored with environmental campaigner Tony Juniper and broadcaster Ian Skelly.

That book cautioned against an "imbalance" between humanity and nature that posed a threat to civilisation, calling for a "dramatic revolution" in how people perceive their relationship with the natural world.

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