Oscar-winning actor Cate Blanchett has commended the Prince of Wales for his work to tackle the climate crisis, describing him as an “extraordinary” leader.
The 57-year-old Australian, who played Queen Elizabeth I in the 1998 film Elizabeth, collaborated with William on the Earthshot Prize Council, a body he established to find technological solutions to the crisis.
She said that the prince “inherited” his passion from King Charles, adding that his commitment is clear from how “hands-on” he is.
Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar UK, Blanchett said: “(He’s been) an extraordinary leader, very hands-on in a consistent and practically engaged way.
“He has inherited that interest (from the King). He’s grown up with it.”
Blanchett also spoke about her work as a co-founder of the not-for-profit technology company RSL Media in the Harper’s Bazaar UK interview.
The company operates a register where creatives can log whether or not they are comfortable having their work scraped by AI companies for machine learning.
She added: “When this technology started to blow up, a lot of the people who were at the cutting edge were going to governments and saying, ‘We’ve done this; how are we going to use it? What the risks?’
“(Everything’s) so polarised no one feels they can get around the same table to discuss the challenges, and the central one is consent.”
She also commented on the post-MeToo political climate, saying that although society is still at an “exciting point”, there is still a way to go.
The Australian actor is set to appear in an upcoming National Theatre production of Electra/Persona, where she and her co-star Nina Hoss will alternate the leading roles each night.
Blanchett, who is also known for starring in the Lord Of The Rings franchise, received her first Oscar nomination in 1998 for her portrayal of Elizabeth I.
She won her first Academy Award years later, taking home the 2004 best supporting actor gong for her role as Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator, before picking up the leading actor award in 2013 for Blue Jasmine.
The full interview can be read in the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK, which goes on sale from 6 August.
