King’s Pupils Receive Royal Reply After Writing to King Charles About Climate Change

Two pupils from King’s Prep have received a personal response from Buckingham Palace after writing to King Charles III with their ideas to tackle environmental challenges.

Milla H and Fergal DS, both in Year 6, penned thoughtful letters as part of their geography learning, raising concerns about climate change and suggesting innovative solutions. Their efforts were recognised with a formal reply from the King’s office, praising their “most thoughtful messages” and commitment to protecting the environment. 

Creative ideas from young minds 

In her letter, Milla highlighted the urgency of climate change, noting that global temperatures have risen by around 1.1°C over the past century. Inspired by geography teacher Mr Wilkinson and her reading about polar bears struggling due to habitat loss in the book ‘Finding Bear’, she proposed practical steps to accelerate the use of renewable energy.  

Milla suggested that the King could encourage the government to introduce subsidies for solar panels, making them more affordable for households.  

She also advocated for increasing the number of wind farms to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, while recognising concerns about noise and proposing that wind turbines could be located on dedicated land away from residential areas.  

Meanwhile, Fergal took a broad and inventive approach, framing his letter as an “environmental lecture”. He called for action on plastic pollution, questioning why plastic production had not been banned and suggesting biodegradable alternatives such as seaweed-based plastics.  

Fergal also explored ideas around carbon capture, proposing new ways to separate carbon dioxide into its components to improve environmental outcomes. 
In addition, he recommended stronger laws on deforestation, arguing that trees cut down should always be replaced with new ones of the same or similar species to maintain ecological balance.  

A royal response 

The pupils’ letters clearly made an impression. In a letter they received in response, the King’s Head of Royal Correspondence thanked the children on behalf of His Majesty. 

“The King has asked me to thank you for your most thoughtful messages,” the letter read. It added that His Majesty had been “very interested to learn that you care deeply about this important issue” and appreciated their ideas on planting trees and developing renewable energy. The response reassured the pupils that the King “continues to encourage us all to think about the many things we can do to help sustain and support the planet.”  

Inspiring future environmentalists 

King Charles III has long been known for his advocacy on environmental issues, and the response highlights his continued engagement with young people who share his concerns. 

For Milla and Fergal, the experience of receiving a reply from Buckingham Palace is likely to be a memorable moment, and a powerful encouragement to continue speaking up about the future of the planet. 

At King’s, there is a clear understanding of the importance of teaching children about global challenges and environmental responsibility. Milla and Fergal’s letters demonstrate how pupils are encouraged to think critically, engage with real-world issues, and propose creative solutions. Their experience shows how learning at King’s can inspire meaningful action beyond the classroom, even reaching Buckingham Palace. This approach will be further enhanced through the launch of the Future Ready programme in September 2026, which will help to equip pupils in Years 7 & 8 with the skills and mindset to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.