Sir David Attenborough, known for being potentially the most likeable man on Earth, by both humans and animals, has been presented with an award by the Duke of Cambridge for his outstanding contribution to broadcasting.

Prince William gave Attenborough the royal seal of approval, as he handed him the London Evening Standard Beyond Theatre Award, recognising excellence away from the traditional platform of live performance.

The Duke took to the stage at the Old Vic Theatre, in London and said pre-award: 

The recipient of this award is a man who has shaped the culture of this country and the way we look at the world. Back in the 1950s he revolutionised the making of natural history programmes for television, beginning a long and happy association with the BBC’s natural history unit.

But he is best known as a presenter of nature documentaries and as a conservationist, whose memorable romps with gorillas go hand in hand with a deep concern for the natural world.

The Beyond Theatre award goes to Sir David Attenborough for his contribution to broadcasting #ESTheatreAwards pic.twitter.com/HTLkLaleXf

— EveningStandard Arts (@thestandardarts) November 13, 2016

Sir David was a true gent in his acceptance speech:

In recent years it has become the fashion to do the last minutes of a wildlife show by showing how the programmes are made – and not before time.

Because at last you can see the credit for those kind of programmes, among not the people who put their faces in front of the camera, or indeed behind it, but the people who actually wield the cameras.

Sir David finished his speech by dedicating his award to those professionals and colleagues.

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