Sir David Attenborough is nothing short of a national treasure.
Now more than ever the nation is looking to the likes of Sir David to help us preserve the planet for future generations, having spent over half a century dedicating his life to conversation and broadcasting.
Now as he celebrates his 95th birthday, Daily Star has taken a look back a his close friendship with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and how they have publicly and privately worked together too for the sake of the planet.
The two beloved public figures have remained closed for many years, so here their intertwined lives are explored over the years from childhood to present day.
Childhood
(Image: Getty Images)
David and Her Majesty not only share a love of nature and the outdoors from their childhoods, but they also are almost identical in age.
Both were born in Spring 1926 in London.
Her Majesty was bon just a couple of weeks prior to Sir David on April 21, while he was born on May 8.
The 60s
(Image: BBC)
When he worked as a controller at the BBC Sir David was said to have become ‘extremely upset’ at the cooperation airing the controversial documentary The Royal Family.
The film, which only aired once in 1969 and was later pulled by The Queen, was the first time the royals had allowed cameras into their day to day life.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward said Attenborough was so concerned about the filmgoing out he told the BBC “You’re killing the monarchy, you know, with this film you’re making.”
The Express report that he even went as far as writing an official objecting adding that he penned: “The whole institution depends on mystique and the tribal chief in his hut.
“If any member of the tribe ever sees inside the hut, then the whole system of the tribal chiefdom is damaged and the tribe eventually disintegrates.”
Attenborough’s knighthood
(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
In 1985 David was awarded a knighthood for services to television.
The honour was personally bestowed on him during a ceremony by The Queen.
He later appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael And St George for services to television broadcasting and conservation in 2020.
The Order of St Michael and St George recognises service in a foreign country, or in relation to foreign and Commonwealth affairs.
Christmas Address
(Image: BBC)
A year after receiving his knighthood, David was asked to produce Her Majesty’s annual Christmas message.
From 1986 until 1991 Sir David worked on the broadcast, with reports claiming he even swapped what she was to wear.
Hello! report that Queen Elizabeth had picked out an ‘acid green’ outfit only for Sir David to pick a brown one out.
They claim she exclaimed: “”There is no pleasing you people from the media.
“I am told by one lot that I have to wear something colourful so I can be seen in a crowd—and then you come along and tell me I have to wear something pale and nondescript.”
Sir David has kept tight-lipped about any such discussions.
Order of Merit
(Image: WireImage)
In 2005 Her Majesty bestowed an even greater honour on Sir David than that of a Knighthood.
He was awarded an Order of Merit.
The order is at the personal depression of the Monarch only and without input from officials around her.
It is offered in recognition of distinguished service in the armed forces, science, literature, art or for the promotion of culture.
The BBC report that Sir David told The Queen upon receiving the honour: “How could anyone believe they actually deserved something like this?”
The Queen’s Green Planet
(Image: ITV)
In 2017 Sir David Attenborough worked with Her Majesty for special documentary The Queen’s Green Planet.
The BBC special focused on The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy an initiative that Her Majesty started to help reduce carbon emissions around the world and promote nature.
Footage showed the duo walking through the garden’s of Buckingham Palace as they spoke about the future of the planet.
The Future
(Image: REUTERS)
In October 2020, Sir David teamed up with The Queen’s grandson Prince William, Duke of Cambridge for The Earthshot Prize.
The award was created to be the most prestigious global environment prize in history. It was designed to incentive, chance and help repair the planet.
The five main ‘earth shots’ are; Riving the oceans, restoring and protecting nature, fixing the climate, clean the air and building a waste free world.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
