King Charles attended a sustainability event at Hampton Court Palace on Tuesday, where he inspected various environmental projects. The event was part of the Terra Carta exhibition, organized by the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), which the King established in 2020 to promote global sustainability.
As the sun set over the palace’s Clock Court, the King was welcomed by Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO of SMI, and Dr. Andrew Forrest, executive chairman of the Australian tech company Fortescue. The Halo string quartet played renditions of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked and Pink’s “What About Us” as the King greeted guests.
The King also had the chance to view Fortescue’s all-electric Formula GEN3 car, one of the fastest electric race cars in the world. Impressed by its speed, Charles remarked, “God, this must accelerate to 100 in seconds. Terrifying.”
Among the guests was fashion designer Stella McCartney, a supporter of the SMI since 2021. After thanking the King for including her in the event, he asked about her father, Sir Paul McCartney, who is currently on tour. McCartney joked, “You should get him to come and do a gig here for you.”
The King also met the winners of the Terra Carta Design Lab, a global competition aimed at finding sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. Felicia Neuhof, the US winner, turned discarded shellfish waste into furniture and fixtures. She said of meeting the King, “It’s an absolutely surreal experience. His support is turning this from a concept into a real prototype for the future.”
Later, the King joined guests in the Great Hall to watch a video showcasing the work of the SMI. In a heartfelt speech, Jennifer Jordan-Saifi thanked the King for his leadership, saying, “As we think seven generations ahead, we must ask ourselves if we are doing enough. We look to you, Your Majesty, for your vision, your lifelong service, your moral courage, and your relentless commitment to action.” Her voice faltered as she concluded, expressing gratitude for the King’s dedication to sustainability.
