It’s only normal that British royalty would converge with Australian royalty – by which we mean the Irwin family, of course.
However, there is a big point of difference. While the British royal children were going through etiquette school, the Irwin kids, Bindi and Robert, were probably learning how to wrestle a crocodile.
Which is why when a young Robert Irwin sat next to the now-King Charles, he suffered an embarrassing blunder… twice.
The 22-year-old conservationist revealed his klutzy behaviour while speaking with The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon.
“This is bad,” Robert said, before taking a walk down memory lane. “So, I was at lunch with the King of England, with King Charles. I’m sitting there, and I was a kid – sort of still am a kid – but I got an orange juice and I managed to spill it across the table, right at him!
“Luckily, it didn’t hit him.
“Then the best bit is, they bring me another pitcher of orange juice full to the brim five minutes later… I did it again.”
Robert didn’t reveal the finer details of this encounter. But we do believe it was during the then-Prince Charles’ 2018 tour of Australia with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at-the-time.
During the seven-day tour, the British royals touched down on Lady Elliot Island in Queensland to greet 14-year-old Robert, Bindi and Terri Irwin. Standing by the ocean, the group discussed marine life and coral reef protection.
Luckily for the youngest Irwin, he’s had ample opportunity to resolve his reputation with the British royal family. Robert has built quite the friendship with Prince William, the Prince of Wales who is also a passionate conservationist.
Their most recent collaboration was in June when Prince William surprised Londoners by travelling on an electric bus with Robert Irwin. For the event, the pair met with innovators, investors and leaders supporting The Earthshot Prize Impact Assembly, part of the London Climate Action Week. The Assembly focuses on work currently being undertaken to discover solutions for urgent environmental issues.
“When we launched the Earthshot Prize in 2020, we believed we could show the world evidence of progress − progress towards what felt like immense climate and nature goals,” Prince William told those gathered at the event.
“Today, we have more than belief − we now have proof. Solutions are working, capital is moving, policy is shifting, partnerships are forming… Progress is starting to build on itself. This is why I feel more optimistic than ever.
“Not because the challenge is smaller than it was, not because the science is less urgent, but because the proof is stronger than ever before.”
It wasn’t until a month later that we got to see what was happening inside the bus. Prince William and Robert spoke with students and activists about what the prize means to them.
The pair first teamed up in 2024 when Robert was named as a global ambassador of William’s Earthshot Prize.
The Wildlife Warrior continued this role the following year, but in 2026, Robert had other plans competing on Dancing With The Stars US.
After many years working together, Prince William didn’t hesitate to show support by video calling Robert and his dance partner.
“I need you down here!” the Prince said, after calling him “twinkle toes… you guys have got a serious good chance of winning… best of luck on the show.”
Another collaboration with British royal family wasn’t with William, but rather his three children, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis, whom he shares with Princess Catherine.
Taking to Instagram in May, Robert introduced the latest member of the Australia Zoo family, a eastern grey kangaroo joey named by the Wales children.
“Introducing Cwtch, the newest member of the Australia Zoo family, a gorgeous eastern grey kangaroo joey,” he wrote on Instagram. “Cwtch, which means ‘cuddle’ in Welsh, was named by Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.”
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