Sir David Attenborough collects high honour from Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle
Hamish Auskerry reports for ITV News on Sir David's special honour
National treasure Sir David Attenborough has been awarded his Knight Grand Cross honour from fellow avid environmentalist Prince Charles.
The broadcaster, 96, collected his Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George for services to television broadcasting and to conservation on Wednesday.
Sir David, first knighted by the Queen in 1985, collected the even more prestigious honour from her son, the Prince of Wales, at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.
The drizzly weather did not dampen the excitement around the castle, as a throng of journalists decamped on the grounds outside, clamouring to get a sight of the veteran wildlife filmmaker.
Sir David’s career spans seven decades and he is a member of the Earthshot Prize council, an initiative launched by Prince William to find solutions to environmental issues.
What is the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George?
The Knight Grand Cross is awarded to people who are members of the extremely prestigious Order of St Michael and St George.
It was originally founded to be solely for those who served in high positions in and around the Mediterranean.
It now is given to people who have performed extraordinary service for the UK and the Commonwealth in a foreign country.
The current Grand Master of the order is the Duke of Kent.
Who else is a member of the Order of St Michael and St George?
There are various tiers of membership of the Order, and Sir David has been appointed to the very highest group, the Knights and Dames of the Grand Cross.
According to the Royal Family's website there are currently 125 Knights and Dames of the Grand Cross.
The vast majority of the current members are senior diplomats who work for the British government or governor-generals of the various Commonwealth realms.
Sir David's newest accolade comes after he featured in a segment of the Platinum Party at the Palace, the Platinum Jubilee concert held outside Buckingham Palace in London on June 4.
The Duke of Cambridge highlighted the efforts of “visionary environmentalists” during this section of the show, which saw a clip of Sir David projected on to Buckingham Palace.
William also spoke about the pride he felt for “my grandfather and my father” – the Duke of Edinburgh and Charles – who have championed the natural world.
Also at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, Gary Lightbody, lead singer of rock band Snow Patrol, was made an OBE for services to music and to charity in Northern Ireland.
Spy chief Sir Jeremy Fleming, director of GCHQ, received his knighthood after he was made Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George for services to national security.
Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, received his knighthood for services to public health, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, while actor Toby Jones was made an OBE for services to drama.
Unscripted is ITV News' arts and entertainment podcast, brought to you by ITV News Arts Editor Nina Nannar. In each episode, Nina speaks to a leading name from the world of arts and entertainment.
Her guests talk about their life and work, plus Nina asks them where they see themselves in five years.