Prince Charles has encouraged the nation to get planting trees for ‘Plant Britain’ in a Twitter post that kept comments turned off amid the backlash over his portrayal in Netflix’s The Crown.
The Prince of Wales, 72, has thrown his support behind a Countryfile campaign to plant 750,000 trees in an effort to tackle climate change.
Joined by stars including actress Dame Judi Dench, Queen guitarist Brian May and model Twiggy in backing the BBC One programme’s two-year initiative, called Plant Britain, he urged viewers to help grow trees at various sites across the UK – one for each child starting primary school this year.
Clarence House tweeted: ‘Did you know that after HRH plants a tree, he often gives a branch a friendly shake to wish it well?’
Prince Charles, 72, has thrown thrown his support behind a Countryfile campaign to plant 750,000 trees in an effort to tackle climate change
The Clarence House Twitter post comments turned off amid the backlash over his portrayal in Netflix’s The Crown. Pictured, Emma Corrin and Josh O’Connor as Princess Diana and Prince Charles in series four of The Crown
The Clarence House Twitter account, which posts updates, pictures and videos about the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, 72, shared a clip of Prince Charles speaking.
However, unlike the majority of other tweets posted by the account, the comments on the thread had been switched off on the post.
It comes as the royal faced a tirade of hate comments from social media trolls after The Crown falsely suggested he, played by Josh O’Connor, had an affair with Camilla throughout his marriage to Princess Diana,
In Sunday’s special launch episode of Countryfile, Charles said: ‘Planting a tree means leaving a lasting legacy, one that my and your children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy long after I am gone.
‘I know that so many people during this terribly difficult year have had their appreciation of trees and other green spaces around them deepened, and therefore it is our duty, given how long it takes for a tree to mature, to plant trees now for future generations to enjoy and for the immense benefits, particularly in towns and cities, from their shade, in an ever more overheated climate.
‘There are so many opportunities for us all to plant more trees, to protect green spaces.
‘As someone with a passion for planting trees, I can only encourage you all to get planting for Plant Britain.’
Clarence House (pictured) also tweeted: ‘Did you know that after HRH plants a tree, he often gives a branch a friendly shake to wish it well?’
In Sunday’s special launch episode, Charles (pictured) said: ‘Planting a tree means leaving a lasting legacy, one that my and your children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy long after I am gone’
The episode saw the first saplings planted in a new Countryfile wood, created in association with the National Trust, which will be open to the public.
During its initial two years, Countryfile will catch up with the Plant Britain initiative through spring and autumn specials focused on seasonal planting, as well as summer and winter updates.
An online interactive map will allow viewers to log their planting and see the results of the project as it evolves.
Countryfile will also be sharing information about other types of plants which can be planted in different locations.
Prince Charles (pictured) told how he has a passion for planting trees and so encourages viewers to get planting for Plant Britain
Dame Judi said of the project: ‘During lockdown I was sent an acorn. This is something you don’t have to have a garden to receive.
‘I put it in a vase in water and this is my oak tree already, and that wasn’t many weeks ago. So, even if you don’t have a garden, you can do that.
‘We all know that planting trees is vitally important – do try if you can. It’s very, very worthwhile.’
Musician and environmental activist May added: ‘There’s an old saying that the best time to plant a tree is 30 years ago, but the next best time is today.
‘We can all do something to help this beautiful country of ours. This green and pleasant land has been losing its greenery for far too long.
‘We can all do our bit. We all need to get into this. Plant, plant, plant, whatever you can.’
Twiggy, real name Lesley Lawson, who was made a dame last year, said: ‘I think we have all become very aware, this year in particular, how important nature is for everyone. It has certainly been for my sanity.
‘That’s why I’m very happy to support this Plant Britain campaign, and I for one am going to be planting some trees and some bushes and some flowers.
‘It will be good for you, and good for the planet, and very importantly, good for our grandchildren. So, get planting, everyone, for Plant Britain.’
Plant Britain launched on Countryfile on Sunday November 29 at 6.15pm on BBC One