Prince William made a virtual appearance on Dancing with the Stars on Tuesday surprising viewers with a heartfelt video message to support contestant and Earthshot ambassador Robert Irwin.
The royal, 43, praised Irwin’s efforts while joking about his absence from their shared environmental commitments. “We're missing you, Robert,” said William. “Whilst your twinkle toes are going off elsewhere, I need you down here.”
Turning to Irwin’s dance partner, Witney Carson, he added with a smile, “You need to get him in as much glitter as you can.” Carson gasped, “I can't believe he just said my name!”
Irwin, 21, dedicated his performance — a foxtrot to Leona Lewis’ 2007 hit “Footprints in the Sand” — to both his sister Bindi, 27, and Prince William. “We are doing this dance for Bindi, and we are doing this dance for Prince William, so let's not mess this up!” he said.
The song held deep meaning for the Irwin family, as Bindi performed the same piece during her Dancing with the Stars season 21 victory and had dedicated it to their late father, Steve Irwin.
“There's a lot of weight,” Robert said, “because I really want it to be our best dance yet, to be honest.”
During rehearsals, Irwin explained that he was meant to attend the Earthshot Prize event in Brazil with Prince William but stayed to continue competing. As a global ambassador for the Earthshot Prize, Irwin helps promote environmental innovation and conservation — a passion he inherited from his father through his work with Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors.
At the Earthshot Prize ceremony, Prince William reflected on the initiative’s goals, saying, “When we founded the Earthshot Prize in 2020, we had a 10-year goal, to make this the decade in which we transformed our world for the better.
"We set out to tackle environmental issues head on…and make real, lasting changes that would protect life on Earth. It was a mission driven by the kind of extraordinary optimism we’ve felt here tonight, from these innovators. Their work is the proof we need that progress is possible.”
