Sir David Attenborough honoured with second knighthood by Prince Charles

The wonderful Sir David Attenborough has been honoured with his second knighthood for his outstanding contributions to television broadcasting and conservation.

The prestigious honour, officially titled, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George, was presented to Attenborough by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle on June 8, 2022. The esteemed knighthood makes Attenborough the only current holder of the honour who doesn’t have a diplomatic background.

Attenborough had previously been awarded his first knighthood by Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Castle in 1985 for his services to broadcasting.

Posted to the Royal Family’s official social media, Attenborough and Prince Charles are pictured smiling widely during the ceremony, Prince Charles dressed in formal uniform.

The post read, “At Windsor Castle, Sir David Attenborough is invested by The Prince of Wales as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George. Congratulations Sir David!”

At Windsor Castle, Sir David Attenborough is invested by The Prince of Wales as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George.

???? Congratulations Sir David! pic.twitter.com/iYQl0I3DVO

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 8, 2022

Fans quickly took to the post to comment with their own messages of praise and support for the beloved nature broadcaster as they acknowledged the much “deserved” honour.

Congratulation Sir Attenborough . You deserve it.

— Reuven Holzer (@reuvenholzer) June 8, 2022

It is not my place to judge someone as worthy or unworthy of a knighthood. But this one is without question “worthy”. A true champion and so well deserved. Congratulations!

— Mark Lilley (@mark_j_lilley) June 8, 2022

Is there a “Defender of the planet” award, because he deserves that to. David Attenborough is a legend!! ????????♥️

— Sarah Bolton????????????️ (@sarahsurf67) June 8, 2022

Prince Charles took to his own social media to recognise Attenborough’s undeniable contribution to “the natural world and its conservation”. The post included two black and white images of a younger Attenborough, one particularly touching image showing a young Prince Charles and Princess Anne alongside Attenborough as he introduces them to a large cockatoo.

???? Well done to Sir David Attenborough, who was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George, for his lifetime of work in broadcasting and promoting the importance of the natural world and its conservation. pic.twitter.com/tRLEIreV3R

— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) June 8, 2022

Over the years, Attenborough has made noteworthy contributions to conservation and television through his insightful nature documentaries including The Blue Planet, David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet and Natural World, among others.

Attenborough and the Queen also starred in one of his documentaries together in 2018, titled The Queen’s Green Planet, as the two strolled through Buckingham Palace’s gardens while discussing the environment.

Most recently, Attenborough made a special contribution to the Queen’s prestigious Platinum Jubilee celebrations in the United Kingdom, after he delivered a touching climate change message which was projected across the front of Buckingham Palace followed by a special speech delivered by Prince William to commemorate both Attenborough and the Queen’s dedication to the natural world.