It is a well-known fact that Prince Charles talks to his plants.

He has an almost philosophical view of Nature, which he spells with a capital N, and which he describes as a female being.

He was out early with organic farming and he runs his modified Aston Martin with wine and cheese.

At the beginning of his long-term commitment, Prince Charles gained a reputation for being a new age flummer, an environmental muppet.

Today, when much of what he was already doing in the 1970s and 1980s is everyday food, there is another sound in the bark.

In short: Prince Charles has revenge!

The role of opinion leader cannot be overestimated

In his inaugural speech at COP26, the future king emphasized that the climate crisis is acute and that time is running out.  

"World leaders must launch a military-like campaign to mobilize the business world in the fight against climate change," said Prince Charles.

The British royal family has no real political influence, but the members' role as opinion leaders cannot be overestimated.

Therefore, it matters what Prince Charles and the other royalty say about climate change.

During COP26, US President Joe Biden made room in his packed schedule for a one-on-one meeting with Prince Charles.

That says a lot about the importance of the heir to the throne.

Biden is said to have told Prince Charles that he was the one who set the whole thing in motion and that this is how it all began.

When the British COP general Alok Sharma was asked whether the world leaders care at all about what the royals say in the question, the answer was:

- Absolutely!

When the members of the royal family speak, people listen, said Alok Sharma.

"Hypocrisy!"

But at the same time, many Britons question the royal family's environmental and climate commitment and the criticism is sometimes harsh.

Before COP26, there was one word that was repeated time and time again in the headlines: hypocrisy!

The criticism is mainly about the royal family's flights.

Between 2018 and 2019, carbon dioxide emissions for business travel doubled, from 1,687 tonnes to 3,344 tonnes.

Prince Charles and Camilla were responsible for most of the flights.

Climate organizations are also calling for more concrete measures on the royal estate's estates.

The royal family is the UK's largest landowner, but in Scotland, for example, large parts of the land are only used for hunting.

Here, the climate activists want the royal family to devour more of their property, that is, let nature take over.

In addition, not least Prince Charles is urged to plant more trees.

Charles takes a big step forward

In his defense, Prince Charles claims that travel is necessary and that many are purely commissioned jobs from the British government.

He also believes that private flights are required due to the safety aspect.

- I can not do everything myself!

Prince Charles told the British BBC ahead of COP26 on carbon dioxide emissions.

Now that Queen Elizabeth is becoming increasingly invisible to the public and rumors are circulating about her state of health, Prince Charles is taking a big step forward in the spotlight.

There is no doubt that he is gaining more and more credit in environmental and climate contexts.

The question is what happens when Prince Charles becomes king.

Will he be the first green king?

There are many indications of that.

See more about the British Royal Family's climate commitment in the Foreign Office: Klimatagalen tonight from 7.30 pm on SVT Play and 9.45 pm on SVT2.