At a Glance
- King Charles III releases a new documentary, Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision, on Amazon Prime starting Feb. 6.
- The film frames climate action as part of a broader “harmony” philosophy that links environmental, social, and cultural issues.
- Experts like Tony Juniper and Emily Shuckburgh explain how reconnecting with nature’s cycles can reverse climate damage.
- Why it matters: The documentary seeks to reshape the monarchy’s image and rally a global audience around sustainable living.
A new Amazon Prime documentary titled Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision has been released by King Charles III to spotlight his long-standing environmental philosophy. The film, narrated by Kate Winslet, is part of a broader strategy to bring the king’s “harmony” concept-balancing human and natural systems-to a worldwide audience.
The New Documentary
The film premiered on Amazon Prime on Feb. 6 and follows Charles as he discusses his vision for a sustainable future. It opens with the king’s assertion that “we need to follow harmony if we are going to ensure that this planet can support so many.” The documentary uses a mix of footage, interviews, and expert commentary to explain why the king sees climate change, urban planning, agriculture, traditional crafts, and interfaith dialogue as interconnected.
King’s Vision of Harmony
Charles first spoke publicly about environmental issues in February 1970, when he was a 21-year-old Cambridge student. In 1990, he founded Dumfries House, a 2,000-acre estate in southwestern Scotland that serves as a laboratory for the harmony philosophy. The house offers courses that teach the principles of nature while preparing students for work in agriculture, hospitality, and construction.
Expert Voices
Experts appear throughout the film to reinforce the king’s message. Tony Juniper, former head of Friends of the Earth, explains that nature’s “cycles and loops” still govern human society. He stresses that reconnecting with these cycles is crucial to tackling global warming, soil erosion, ocean plastics, and chemical contamination.
Juniper says:
“All of that is reversible, all of that fixable. It’s going to require more of us to understand that we are not outside nature, we are in it.”
Emily Shuckburgh, a University of Cambridge climate scientist, highlights the film’s hopeful tone. She says the documentary offers a vision that can inspire optimism in difficult times:
“Having something that provides that sense of hope and optimism is really, really important.”
Legacy and Timing
The timing of the film is significant. After a cancer diagnosis in early 2024 that forced the king to step back from public duties, and amid ongoing family tensions, Charles is now in a position to refocus public attention on environmental issues. Ed Owens, author of After Elizabeth: Can the Monarchy Save Itself?, notes that the documentary could be a deliberate attempt to rebrand the monarchy after two challenging years.
Owens comments:
“Let us not be in any doubt that this is a very deliberate attempt to rebrand monarchy after a couple of very difficult years.”
Dumfries House and Education
At Dumfries House, students learn to integrate sustainability into everyday work. Jennie Regan, a 45-year-old stonemason in training, shares how the estate’s philosophy influenced her career shift from university administration to stone carving.
Regan displays a carving that reads, “Have I not guided you well?”-a reference to the Scottish fairy Ghillie Dhu. She explains:
“Things need to be sustainable. Building sites have so much waste.”
Hopeful Outlook
The documentary’s release on a global streaming platform aims to reach a new audience and reinforce Charles’s environmental legacy. By pairing his long-standing advocacy with contemporary media, the king seeks to bring harmony’s principles to a generation that may otherwise be disconnected from nature.
Key Takeaways
- King Charles III uses Amazon Prime to promote his “harmony” philosophy.
- The film features experts who explain how reconnecting with nature’s cycles can reverse climate damage.
- Dumfries House exemplifies the practical application of harmony through education and sustainable practices.
- The release follows a period of personal and public challenges, suggesting a strategic shift in the monarchy’s messaging.
- The documentary may help reshape the monarchy’s image and galvanize global support for sustainable living.
—
References
- The documentary Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision is available on Amazon Prime.
- Quotes from Tony Juniper, Emily Shuckburgh, Ed Owens, and Jennie Regan are taken directly from the film and related interviews.
