When did King Charles go to the Canadian Arctic?

King Charles visited the Canadian Arctic in 1975.

What unique item did King Charles wear during his Arctic dive?

During his 1975 Arctic ice dive, King Charles wore a bowler hat.

What is the new ITV show about King Charles's Arctic trip?

The new ITV show is called 'Steve Backshall's Royal Arctic Challenge' and examines climate change.

Home / Environment / King Charles Dives in Arctic with Bowler Hat

King Charles Dives in Arctic with Bowler Hat

18 Dec, 2025

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Summary

King Charles recalled a humorous 1975 Arctic ice dive.
He wore a bowler hat during the daring and cold dive.
The event highlights his lifelong passion for the environment.

King Charles Dives in Arctic with Bowler Hat

King Charles recently reflected on a memorable 1975 trip to the Canadian Arctic, where he undertook a historic ice dive. Footage revealed the then-26-year-old Prince of Wales making the daring dive near Resolute Bay while wearing a bowler hat, a detail he found amusing and a chance to 'fool around'. He described the experience as 'splendid' but acknowledged it was 'bloody cold'.

The visit, which occurred 50 years ago, was formative for the King, shaping his lifelong dedication to environmental protection. During his 11-day journey, he also engaged with the local Inuit culture and learned about their dependence on the fragile Arctic ecosystem. This expedition serves as a backdrop for a new ITV program focusing on climate change.

The program, 'Steve Backshall's Royal Arctic Challenge,' sees environmentalist Steve Backshall retrace the King's steps to examine the impact of climate change. Backshall noted the King's 'mischievous sense of humour' and 'genuine passion for the planet,' emphasizing that His Majesty was raising environmental alarms long before they became widely recognized.