COP26: 'Time for action': Queen Elizabeth, David Attenborough call for climate change urgency
Queen Elizabeth II has welcomed world leaders to the Glasgow climate summit in a video message, saying "the time for words has now moved to the time for action. The 95-year-old monarch had been expected to attend the Glasgow summit, but she had to cancel the trip after doctors said she should rest and not travel . The Queen recently underwent medical checks and spent the night at a London hospital - her first hospital stay in years. In the video message, played during a welcoming reception for presidents and prime ministers, the Queen said she hoped the conference will be one of those rare occasions where everyone will have the chance to rise above the politics of the moment, and achieve true statesmanship. READ MORE: * Cop26: 'Greta Mania' hits Glasgow as Swedish teenager is mobbed * Queen Elizabeth will not attend climate summit following advice to rest * Queen Elizabeth II 'reluctantly' cancels Northern Ireland trip on advice from doctors * The Queen condemns really irritating world leaders for snubbing Glasgow climate talks * Prince William: Before travelling to space, save the planet History has shown that when nations come together in common cause, there is always room for hope,'' she said in the video, which was recorded last week at Windsor Castle. In a tribute to her late husband, Prince Philip, the queen said she was happy to welcome the delegates because the environment was a subject close to Philip's heart. In a rare public display of emotion, she said she could not be more proud'' Philip's environmental work lives on through the work of their eldest son, Prince Charles, and his son Prince William. British naturalist David Attenborough also gave leaders at the summit a brief lesson in the fragility of the planet and humanity's dependence on the natural world. The 95-year-old documentary-maker, who was announced at the ceremonial opening as the people's advocate, spoke ahead of presidents and prime ministers from more than 100 countries. Attenborough said for much of humanity's existence, the climate on Earth had swung wildly before stabilising 10,000 years ago, allowing human civilizations to flourish. The stability we all depend on is breaking,'' he said. Attenborough said the action necessary to curb greenhouse gas emissions to levels that would prevent dangerous global warming is possible, if countries move quickly and decisively. We are, after all, the greatest problem solvers to have ever existed on Earth,'' he said. If working apart, we are a force powerful enough to destabilize our planet. Surely working together, we are powerful enough to save it.'' AP