Prince William Just Gave Steve Irwin's Son This Tearjerking Compliment

Prince William just gave Steve Irwin's son a tearjerking compliment. According to People, the Duke of Cambridge was interviewed by Robert Irwin about the senior royal's forthcoming Earthshot Prize, which is designed to "incentivize change and help to repair our planet over the next ten years."

Speaking over a video call to mark the release of Discovery's "Earthshot Prize: Repairing Our Planet," Prince William told Robert that he "was a big fan" of his father Steve, adding that he is "so sorry" about his father's 2006 death. "It's no surprise that you're a fan of crocodiles as well. The family trait has continued into the next generation I am sure." The duke added, "He'd be very proud of you Robert. And what you continued. Your passion is only second to his."

Per The Independent, Robert's father Steve sadly died in September 2006 after being attacked by a stingray while swimming in shallow waters as he filmed a wildlife documentary in the Great Barrier Reef, northern Queensland. Prior to his death, Steve, aka "The Crocodile Hunter," was known around the world for his popular wildlife TV show. Today, Robert is following in his father's footsteps, embracing nature as a wildlife photographer.

According to People, Robert Irwin and the Duke of Cambridge went on to discuss Prince William's Earthshot Prize in more detail, as it's set to host its debut awards ceremony in the U.K. on Sunday, October 17. 

When asked by Irwin about what inspired him to become involved with the global environment prize, Prince William replied, "I felt that a bit of optimism and hope is what we needed. Showing people that there are solutions. That there is a way forward what was going to be needed, and so that's how the Earthshot Prize sort of spun out from there."

Per the BBC, the Earthshot Prize is currently fronted by the Duke of Cambridge and aims to find inspiring people who have innovative solutions to problems facing the planet, such as climate change. The first 15 finalists were carefully selected by a team of experts and five eventual winners will be chosen in October, each of whom will be awarded a £1 million ($1.3 million) grant.