Of the many achievements celebrated by media and masses in the hours since the Duke of Edinburgh died, many have highlighted his early championing of the causes of conservation and environmental protection.

A little like Sir David Attenborough, he is credited with promoting unpopular causes long before they became mainstream. Even though UK public opinion on climate change appears to be broadly in line with other Western democracies, there is at least a suggestion that demonstrable royal endorsement has had a measurable impact on opinion-formers and the media. Banging the drum for the environment appears, in retrospect to have been far-sighted, and helped coalesce support among many influential elements of British society.

It raises the wider issue of celebrity endorsement, and the extent to which it can help generate interest and participation in policy debates and consultation. The Institute first discussed the subject in 2005 (Tuesday Topic 30 – still on the website!) and since then, more and more campaigns have recognised the value of being associated with high-profile individuals. Remember how Joanna Lumley single-handedly won concessions on settlement rights for ex-Gurkha servicemen. More recently, note the success of Marcus Rashford in changing Government policy on free school meals following last year’s lockdowns. Right now, we are all conscious of the efforts by many to find ways – and people to urge the public to become vaccinated against Covid-19.

Public consultations often reflect public opinion – which itself can be manipulated. So one should always be cautious in aligning causes too closely to specific ‘celebrities’. Heroes and heroines can become villains overnight (Think Jimmy Saville, Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Sam Allardyce, Maria Sharapova and many others). The prestige and longevity of the British Royal family has largely insulated it from the reputational ups and downs of modern life (though Prince Andrew has had to relinquish many of his associations). The Duke’s departure from the scene serves as a reminder that many factors influence what people think. And to the extent that policies to address biodiversity, conservation and climate change now command public support in the UK and beyond, his legacy is assured.