The King said that he has ‘always tended to live life dangerously’

King Charles joked about his age as he raised concerns about the impact climate change is having on the Arctic.

Speaking with environmentalist Steve Backshall, the monarch discussed his trip to the Canadian Arctic in 1975, explaining how it was “extraordinary”.

When asked about what was overwhelming from the trip, the King humoured: “Well, diving under the ice. Yes, I think I am too old to go back.

“So thank goodness I was younger in those days because I certainly couldn’t go now.”

The King reflected on his journey to the Canadian Arctic | GETTY / X / ROYALFAMILY

The King continued: “It was amazing in those days, thank god. It was as it should be.

“I learnt a great deal from going there.”

His Majesty spoke to Mr Backshall about the growing concern around climate change, insisting that humans “have to adapt”.

He said: “I mean this is what I have been trying to warn about for years.”

The King said he ‘learnt a great deal’ on his trip in 1975 | X / ROYALFAMILY

The King backed the position of scientists on climate change and questioned why people do not believe them.

He also encouraged using the expertise of the indigenous people in the affected areas.

Charles said: “Their knowledge is absolutely crucial right now. We are totally interconnected with nature [and] I think the problem is trying to reconnect that link.”

The monarch watched footage of his trip to the Canadian Arctic, which featured a young, 26-year-old Charles showing off his daring side by completing an ice dive in freezing sub-zero temperatures.

The King joked about his age with Steve Backshall | X / ROYALFAMILY

The then-prince displayed his sense of humour, taking the plunge while wearing a bowler hat.

The Royal Family posted the clip across their social media channels, stating: “In 1975, the King made a historic ice dive during a trip to the Canadian Arctic.

“The formative visit was a true adventure in freezing temperatures, taking in dog sledding, learning about the local culture, and shaping His Majesty’s lifelong passion for the environment.”

Charles said: “I’ve always tended to live life dangerously.”

The King reflected on his ice-cold plunge in 1975 | GETTY

His Majesty spent the trip learning about the local Inuit people’s culture and their dependence on the environment.

The King even tried raw seal liver when it was offered to him.

Mr Backshall’s programme examined the accelerating impact of climate change on the Arctic, which is warming at three times the global rate.

Remembering the trip, the King said: “We had some laughs. I thought it’d be rather fun coming back up with the hat on, and I thought, a chance to fool around.”

The monarch shared that he humoured those in attendance by inflating his snowsuit with air.

Charles explained: “I blew the thing up to see how far the thing would go.”

The King said his dive was “splendid”, adding: “It was very, very interesting indeed, I must say… bloody cold!”