King Charles III and Queen Camilla are among well-wishers to share a birthday message celebrating Sir David Attenborough turning 100.
The royal couple also shared photographs of Sir David, including one of him with a young Prince Charles and Princess Anne in 1958, in which he is introducing them to Cocky the cockatoo, from his BBC Zoo Quest TV series.
The King and Queen wished him a very happy birthday, adding: “Enjoy your special celebration this evening!”
The veteran broadcaster and environmentalist has said he was “completely overwhelmed” by messages he had received ahead of his big day, which includes a special concert on Friday evening at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Sir David added: “I simply can’t reply to each of you separately, but I’d like to thank you all most sincerely for your kind messages, and wish those of you who have planned your own local events: have a very happy day.”
Former England men’s football captain Sir David Beckham simply called the broadcaster “our National Treasure”.
The Duke of Sussex is also among the well-wishers, describing Sir David as a “secular saint” in an article in Time.com.
“His most significant contribution has been the systematic dismantling of the notion that climate issues are happening ‘somewhere else’,” he said.
TV naturalist and presenter Chris Packham wrote in The Big Issue: “I don’t think that any person in the entire history of our species has made such a significant contribution to engaging people and developing a love for all of life on Earth as David Attenborough.”
