King praises scientists trying to ‘rescue this poor planet'
The King has praised British research scientists stationed in the frozen Antarctic for their efforts to 'rescue this poor planet'.
His Majesty recorded a morale-boosting greeting for the annual Antarctic midwinter broadcast, a 30-minute BBC programme especially for the 53 British Antarctic Survey staff isolated on the continent as they mark the shortest and coldest day of the year at the South Pole.
With 24 hours of darkness across some areas and the landscape locked in silence, Midwinter's Day marks the halfway point of the long Antarctic winter and a symbolic milestone as the days begin to stretch back toward light.
The broadcast on Saturday marks its 70th anniversary this year.
The King, a lifelong environmental campaigner, said the research stations highlight the 'role humanity plays, as we struggle to live in harmony with nature'.
He added: 'Each observation, measurement and calculation you undertake adds to the world's understanding of the Earth's fragile systems.
'With the sun shying away from your horizon today, I particularly wanted to send my warmest good wishes.'
King Charles said the charity's work comes at a time when efforts are underway to 'develop an even greater ability to manage the human and animal conflict'.
He added: 'If we're going to rescue this poor planet [from] continuing degradation, and restore some degree of harmony to the proceedings, we must also understand that whatever we take and exploit from nature, we need to give something back in return to enable nature to sustain us.'
The annual BBC broadcast began in 1955, when the only way of communicating with those stationed at the research stations was via shortwave radio.
Now presented by Welsh singer Cerys Matthews, it combines music requests from the base with poignant messages from friends and family and a few famous voices.
The scientists and support staff, including doctors and electricians, who work through the Antarctic winter are known as 'winterers'.
Those living at three British Antarctic Survey research stations, Rothera, Bird Island and South Georgia, face months of total isolation with no sunlight.
Staff traditionally mark Midwinter's Day by getting together and sharing a special breakfast before exchanging handmade gifts and then watching John Carpenter's 1982 horror film The Thing, which sees an alien monster terrorise an Antarctic base.
They then have a celebratory dinner, made by chefs, many weeks after the last delivery of fresh produce.
The ritual is thought to date back to 1902, when Robert Falcon Scott and his expedition team braved their first Antarctic winter. To boost morale, they transformed Midwinter's Day into a moment of joy, complete with decorations, gifts, and a feast.
Staff also receive a letter of thanks from the Prime Minister and His Majesty's Commissioner for the British Antarctic Territory.
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