Sir Trevor McDonald believes it is a ‘matter of great good fortune’ that the UK has a king with a ‘deep understanding’ about climate issues.
The broadcaster, 83, shared his opinion after the death of Queen Elizabeth II meant King Charles III would be taking the throne.
King Charles was formally declared head of state during a historic meeting of the Accession Council attended by privy councillors at St James’s Palace in on Saturday, which was televised for the first time.
Ahead of the ceremony, Sir Trevor told Good Morning Britain: ‘In a way, we are terribly fortunate at this time to have someone who took part in a conversation that is now universally recognised as very important about the planet in which we all live.
‘We know there is a King on the throne who has led this conversation, who has a deep understanding of all the issues involved and I think that is a matter of great good fortune for our country and for the Commonwealth.’
Sir Trevor had interviewed King Charles for a documentary celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Prince’s Trust in 2006, where he got to know the monarch.
He revealed: ‘I was fortunate enough to do a documentary about him and his duties in the family and he said: “You know I am probably a little misrepresented at times.”
‘What I remember about it is he said “What people don’t understand is that I have a profound love for this country and I would do my duty” and that is what we have seen in glorious colour.
‘He will be a great King. I think his profound love and respect for the job, and respect of what his mother Queen Elizabeth did, will guide him through.
‘He will take a very practical approach to some of these problems and he will be the great encourager, he will want to talk to people involved.’
Sir Trevor added that Charles’s speech on Friday following the death of his mother was ‘absolutely brilliant’ and his reference to Harry and Meghan was ‘particularly poignant’.
He revealed: ‘The emphasis on continuity, the smooth transition that was made. He hit all the right notes and he did exactly what was expected of him as the new King. Amazing,’
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.
