Robert Irwin is used to sharing the spotlight with wildlife. Sharing his underwear photos with a future king proved rather more awkward.
The Australian conservationist found himself in that position on the October 23 episode of The Graham Norton Show, when pictures from his BONDS campaign appeared on screen while Prince William sat alongside him.
One photograph showed Irwin wearing briefs with a python draped around his neck. It gave the conversation a distinctly different direction from the environmental work that brought the guests together.
“I can’t believe I’m looking at these with Prince William,” Irwin said, as reported by Attitude.
William’s contribution was brief: “I’m still thinking about your python.”
Irwin leaned forward and buried his face in the sofa. Sitting with Cate Blanchett and Hannah Waddingham, he suddenly had rather more than an underwear campaign to explain.
The wildlife had a purpose
The photographs date from 2025, when BONDS launched its Made for Down Under campaign. The fresh moment is their appearance on the talk show, rather than a newly released shoot.
As FashionUnited reported at the campaign’s launch, Irwin and musician Tkay Maidza helped introduce the Australian brand to American shoppers through advertisements featuring real snakes and spiders.
On Norton’s sofa, Irwin explained that including animals was also a way to bring conservation into a space where audiences might not expect it.
That wider mission is central to his work. The Earthshot Prize’s official biography describes his involvement in wildlife rescue, habitat protection and public education through Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors.
He became one of the initiative’s first global ambassadors in 2024, giving him an existing professional connection with William beyond this memorable television exchange.
A friend to the LGBTQ+ community
For gay viewers, Irwin’s appeal also includes the warmth with which he talks about the LGBTQ+ people in his life.
In an interview revisited by DNA in September 2025, he discussed his close friendship with Luke, a childhood friend and Australia Zoo’s general manager, and Luke’s husband, Mitch.
Irwin described both men as among his closest friends and compared them to big brothers.
It is an affectionate glimpse of the relationships behind his public support for the community, and another reason his good humour resonates.
This time, though, the conservation advocate’s attempt to explain the animals in his underwear campaign came with an unexpected challenge: keeping a straight face beside a prince with a punchline.
Photo credit: BONDS; BBC / The Graham Norton Show.
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