Prince William Delivers Bilingual Address in Monaco, Urges Urgent Global Action to Protect Oceans
MONACO, June 8, 2025 — Prince William issued a compelling call for global unity and immediate action on ocean conservation at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco, captivating the international audience with a bilingual address delivered in both French and English.
The Prince of Wales opened and concluded his speech in fluent French, stating, “Bonjour, c’est un grand plaisir d’être avec vous… Merci de m’accueillir aujourd’hui… Il est temps d’agir” — “Hello, it is a great pleasure to be with you… Thank you for welcoming me today… It is time to act.”
This diplomatic gesture set the tone for his urgent message regarding the growing threats facing the world’s oceans. Prince William highlighted alarming issues such as rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution, and overfishing, warning that the oceans are “diminishing before our eyes.”
“We must act together with urgency and optimism while we still have the chance,” the Prince declared. “If we save the sea, we save our world.”
Citing naturalist Sir David Attenborough’s recent documentary Ocean, Prince William described its emotional impact — a mixture of anger, sadness, and hope — and emphasized the importance of collective solutions. He pointed out that currently, only 3% of the world’s oceans are protected, far short of the global target to conserve 30% by 2030.
The event in Monaco served as a curtain-raiser for the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference scheduled to be held in Nice later this year. William’s presence underscored his growing international role as a climate leader and conservation advocate.
He also referenced projects supported by his Earthshot Prize, particularly those focused on marine innovation, such as Coral Vita — which specializes in restoring dying coral reefs — and Pristine Seas, which works to establish marine protected areas worldwide.
As the planet faces escalating environmental challenges, the Prince’s words resonated throughout the forum, reinforcing a call to global leaders, financial stakeholders, scientists, and civil society.
“This is not just about environmentalism,” William emphasized. “It is about survival. The oceans regulate our climate, feed billions, and produce more than half the oxygen we breathe. Their health is our health.”
The bilingual delivery of his speech — and the heartfelt tone with which it was delivered — drew praise from attendees and media alike, portraying Prince William as an increasingly prominent figure on the global diplomatic and environmental stage.
Background
- The Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco brings together global stakeholders to promote sustainable marine finance.
- The Prince of Wales launched the Earthshot Prize in 2020 to reward innovative solutions to environmental crises across five key areas, including ocean revival.
- The United Nations’ 30×30 goal aims to protect 30% of the planet’s land and oceans by the year 2030.
As the world approaches pivotal climate and biodiversity deadlines, Prince William’s call to action serves as a timely reminder that the health of the Earth’s oceans is not only a moral responsibility but a pressing global necessity.
