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Sir David Attenborough to be given second knighthood for services to television and conservation

David Attenborough
Sir David Attenborough is to be given a second knighthood. (BBC)

Sir David Attenborough is to be awarded a second knighthood for services to television and conservation.

The 96-year-old broadcaster and naturalist was first knighted by the Queen in 1985 in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

It has now been announced he will be made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael And St George in recognition of his documentaries about the natural world and his work to raise awareness about climate change and its effects.

Read more: Why Sir David Attenborough thinks some zoos are justified

Sir David is expected to receive the appointment from The Prince of Wales — who shares the presenter's passion for the environment — at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, after being named in the Queen's Birthday Honours list 2022.

Sir David Attenborough with his wife Jane and daughter Susan after receiving his knighthood from the Queen in 1985. (PA)
Sir David Attenborough with his wife Jane and daughter Susan after receiving his knighthood from the Queen in 1985. (PA)

The new honour comes after Sir David was featured in the Platinum Party at the Palace jubilee concert.

Prince William paid tribute to the efforts of "visionary environmentalists" during his speech, as a giant image of the Natural World presenter was projected onto Buckingham Palace.

The Duke of Cambridge interviewed the veteran broadcaster about the impact of climate change on the environment at the at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in 2019.

Sir David said at the time: “There has never been a time when more people have been out of touch with the natural world, than there is now.

Sir David Attenborough talks to The Queen at an event in London in 2019. (PA)
Sir David Attenborough talks to the Queen at an event in London in 2019. (PA)

“We have to recognise that every breath of air we take, every mouthful of food we take, comes from the natural world.

“And if we damage the natural world, we damage ourselves. We are one coherent ecosystem.

“It’s not just a question of beauty, or interest, or wonder – it’s the essential part of human life is a healthy planet.”

In 2020 Sir David joined Instagram as part of his campaign to raise awareness for sustainable living.

Within an hour of his first post, the Green Planet presenter had already gained more than 200,000 followers and he reached 1 million followers in four hours and 44 minutes.

Sir David Attenborough and The Prince of Wales at the premiere of Netflix's Our Planet, held at the Natural History Museum in London. (PA)
Sir David Attenborough and The Prince of Wales at the premiere of Netflix's Our Planet, held at the Natural History Museum in London. (PA)

Sir David — brother of the late Hollywood actor Sir Richard Attenborough, who starred in the original Jurassic Park movie — began his broadcasting career on the BBC in the 1950s, notably with Zoo Quest.

He has gone on to present nature documentaries from all over the world, throughout the decades, moving with the times to use the latest technology and appearing on streaming services such as Netflix as well as the BBC.

While he still narrates programmes, he recently admitted he is unlikely to travel to distant locations to film for much longer as he does not enjoy flying.

Read more: Sir David Attenborough 'quits' Instagram after just two months

He said: “It’s probably a fact of age, but I was finding my heart was sinking deeper and deeper into my boots every time I walked up into an aircraft and looked down that long line and thought, ‘I’m going to be here for another 24 hours.’"

Watch: Sir David Attenborough was named Champion of the Earth by the UN