The world was caught off guard by the powerful bond between Prince William and Robert Irwin, an unexpected friendship rooted in passion, purpose, and a shared love for the planet. Prince William made a touching surprise appearance on “Dancing with the Stars” to cheer on Robert Irwin, the 21-year-old wildlife conservationist and son of the late Steve Irwin.
Prince William’s DWTS Stint Surprised Fans
Access shared the video from the episode, where, appearing via video message during rehearsals, the Prince of Wales offered his heartfelt support to Robert and his pro partner, Witney Carson, ahead of their foxtrot performance.
“While your twinkle toes are going off elsewhere, I need him down here,” William teased with a smile. “Witney, I need you to get him in as much glitter as you can. You’ve got a seriously good chance of winning it, so best of luck on the show.”
The royal’s kind words clearly touched Robert, who said the surprise message meant “the absolute world” to him. “We are doing this dance for Bindi and we are doing this dance for Prince William,” he told viewers, visibly emotional.
A Friendship Rooted in Conservation
GettyThe bond between Robert Irwin and Prince William began through their shared passion for wildlife and environmental protection. The two first teamed up in 2023 for the Earthshot Prize, William’s global initiative that honors individuals creating innovative solutions for the planet’s biggest challenges.
GettySpeaking about their friendship, Robert told Us Weekly in May 2025, “I think Prince William has been such an amazing person to work with. There is such an incredible synergy between what he does and who he is and who we are.”
GettyHe added, “It’s all about conservation. I think it’s wonderful that someone so influential—who has such a fantastic platform—is using that to really better our environment. He is a true environmental hero, and working with him has been a great privilege.”
From South Africa to the Ballroom
GettyTheir partnership has grown stronger over the years. The duo reunited in 2024 at the Earthshot Prize in Cape Town, South Africa, where Robert served as an official Global Ambassador. Together, they walked through a scenic overlook and spoke about the urgent need for biodiversity conservation.
GettyWhile in South Africa, William even joined Robert for a lighthearted Instagram video. “G’day, it’s Robert here, with, of course, Prince William,” Robert began. When asked about his favorite African animal, the Prince replied, “My children ask me this regularly. I think it’s going to have to be the cheetah.”
Robert laughed and said, “Cheetahs, OK. Very cool. It’s chameleons for me, the unsung hero—I love them.”
GettyTheir playful exchange quickly went viral, highlighting the genuine friendship between the conservationist and the future king.
A Shared Mission for the Planet
GettyBeyond their royal and celebrity titles, William and Robert share a mission: to protect the natural world. Robert has praised the Prince for using his influence to inspire change, calling him “a true environmental hero.”
Getty“I talk to him about animals, and he is on it,” Robert said in an interview.
“In most conversations I have with His Royal Highness, I learn something. It’s this genuine sense of passion. Like that’s what I seek—I seek out people that feel like kindred spirits, you know? So it’s really awesome.”
Their heartfelt camaraderie continues to resonate with fans. And as Robert shines on “Dancing with the Stars,” it’s clear that Prince William’s support and their shared commitment to conservation remain stronger than ever.
