King Charles to appear on popular BBC show today ahead of Christmas speech

King Charles reveals his great-great-grandmother Queen Alexandra sparked his initial enthusiasm for nature as he discusses his passion for the environment in a special Radio 4 programme. In a special festive episode of This Natural Life airing at noon today, the monarch chats to presenter Martha Kearney about how he revelled in spending time outdoors as a child and why he thinks it's important to teach children rural skills, particularly growing your own fruit and vegetables and learning about farming.

Chatting as they walked through the walled garden at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, the headquarters of the King’s Foundation charity, about his fears for the destruction of the environment but also his hope that we are able to turn the tide. “We are what we are surrounded by and we are what we eat,” the monarch tells her as he speaks of his desire for more schools to have allotments and farms like the ones at Dumfries House.

Asked at what age he remembers getting involved in nature and the natural world, the King says: “I was very small really, I remember it so well.

"I have very extraordinary memories of my great-great-grandmother, Queen Alexandra’s, wonderful little topiary garden at Sandringham.

“That really fascinated me as a very small child and I have had this passion for topiary ever since. I also remember my grandmother’s garden at Windsor that had huge associations for me and I was always able to potter about there.

“I became more and more aware but I think I was just one of those people who generally responded to being outside and looking and observing.”

He said that’s an important role grandparents play, showing youngsters the wonders of nature. But when Ms Kearney asked if he enjoys doing that with his own family, laughing, the King said: “I try, but it doesn't always work.”

During the 24-minute-long episode, the presenter talks to young people and tutors on educational schemes based on the 2,000 acre estate.

From farming to STEM, health and wellbeing to building crafts, thousands of young people develop real life skills and an appreciation for how nature connects everything.

The show ends with the King’s message of hope, that it is possible to repair nature. He uses the marine environment as an example, saying that within two-three years of stopping bottom trawling marine life returns.

“There is hope if we’re sensible about how we manage all of these resources,” Charles says, adding: “We have to look after it [nature] by, I think, always putting something back into nature in return for what we take out, so nature should have a bit of a profit. Otherwise how are we going to survive in our own economy if we don’t look after nature’s economy.”

For This Natural Life on BBC Radio 4 Martha Kearney has talked to guests ranging from Cate Blanchett to Sir Antony Gormley as well as scientists, nature writers and comedians about their passion for nature. Each guest picks a landscape which means something special to them.

This Natural Life will air on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday December 23 at 12 noon and will be repeated on Christmas Day.