As the United Kingdom enjoys the peak of summer sunlight, British researchers stationed in Antarctica are enduring 24 hours of darkness to mark the shortest day of the year in the southern hemisphere. In a message recorded for the BBC World Service’s annual midwinter broadcast, the King expressed his admiration for the scientific teams braving the harsh polar conditions. He commended their resilience, dedication, and the critical importance of their research, calling their work “more vital than ever” in understanding the planet’s fragile environmental systems.
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His Majesty highlighted the global significance of the data collected by the British Antarctic Survey, praising their observations, measurements, and calculations that contribute to global knowledge about Earth’s past, present, and future. The King also marked the 70th anniversary of the BBC’s midwinter broadcast, sending his warmest wishes to all stationed at British Antarctic bases including Rothera, Bird Island, and South Georgia. The message forms part of a day of celebration for those researchers, which typically includes feasting, exchanging gifts, and a screening of the cult Antarctic horror film The Thing.
The message follows the King’s recent public appeal for greater environmental stewardship. At a charity fundraiser, he underscored the importance of collaboration over conflict in tackling the planet’s ecological crises. Urging a deeper understanding of the balance between human activity and the natural world, he reminded attendees that whatever is taken from nature must be replenished in order for ecosystems to thrive. His long-standing advocacy for the environment continues to align with his support for frontline climate researchers.
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Meanwhile, back in Britain, the contrast with Antarctic conditions could hardly be starker. The UK faces extreme heat this weekend, with temperatures forecast to reach up to 34°C in some areas. A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued for much of northern England, with risks of lightning, hail, gusty winds, and potential flooding. As parts of the country brace for intense storms, eastern England may yet record the hottest day of the year so far—further evidence, perhaps, of the climate volatility under scrutiny by scientists in both hemispheres.
