Prince William made an unannounced appearance on ABC's Dancing With the Stars this week, sending fans and contestants alike into shock. The Prince of Wales recorded a surprise message of support for Australian conservationist Robert Irwin, who was preparing his November 11, 2025, foxtrot with partner Witney Carson.
In the clip, William wished Irwin "the best of luck" and jokingly told Carson to "get him in as much glitter as you can." The moment quickly went viral, with social media users praising the Prince's humor and the pair's long-standing friendship. William added, "You've got a seriously good chance of winning it, so the best of luck on the show."
For Irwin, 21, the royal encouragement struck a deeply personal chord. After the broadcast, he said the message "meant the absolute world" and dedicated his performance to both his sister Bindi and the Prince.
Their friendship traces back to 2021, when the two first met during a virtual discussion hosted by Australia Zoo. The session, centered on conservation, climate change, and William's Earthshot Prize, revealed the pair's shared passion for protecting wildlife. William's decade-long Earthshot initiative aims to reward innovations that combat the planet's most pressing environmental issues.
Two years later, the two reunited in South Africa, where Irwin said he found the encounter "inspiring" and described William as a "true environmental hero." Their shared vision for conservation continued to strengthen as they compared notes on strategy and advocacy.
Last year, Irwin formally joined the Earthshot Prize as an ambassador, representing the next generation of environmental leaders. His work at Australia Zoo and his global campaigns mirror the Prince's mission to galvanize younger voices in environmental action. William, in turn, called Irwin a "brilliant ambassador for The Earthshot Prize," applauding his "enthusiasm and dedication."
Their connection has since evolved into a genuine friendship beyond their conservation work. Speaking with US Weekly, Irwin said that talking to the Prince was "so much fun," describing William as "the most lovely, intelligent person to talk to." The two, he added, often exchange stories about wildlife encounters and shared experiences in the field.
Earlier this year, that camaraderie surfaced again when the Prince left a tongue-in-cheek audio message during Irwin's appearance on BBC Radio 2. "Robert's known for pulling random terrifying animals out of his pockets while he's on anyone's show," William joked. The remark, now making rounds on social media once more, encapsulated the easy rapport between a royal environmentalist and the son of Australia's most famous wildlife family - a friendship that has steadily grown from shared purpose into genuine affection.
