Robert Irwin Turns Red After Prince William Makes Cheeky ‘Python’ Joke About His Underwear Campaign

Robert Irwin was left hiding his face in embarrassment after Prince William made an unexpected comment about his “python” on The Graham Norton Show, turning a conversation about wildlife conservation into an awkwardly funny moment.

The 22-year-old Australian conservationist appeared on the BBC chat show alongside the Prince of Wales, 44, to discuss William’s Earthshot Prize, the environmental award that will hold its next ceremony in Mumbai next month. The event will see £5 million in prize money awarded to support environmental solutions.

But the discussion took an unexpected turn when photographs from Irwin’s Bonds underwear campaign appeared on screen. Sitting beside a future king while watching images of himself modelling underwear proved to be an experience he had not quite prepared for.

“I can’t believe I’m looking at these with Prince William,” Irwin admitted, visibly struggling to take in the situation.

The conservationist, who has previously spoken proudly about his support for the LGBTQ+ community, then attempted to explain the revealing photographs with a little Australian humour.

“Australia’s hot, you can’t wear too much!” he said.

However, William had a comment of his own that left Irwin wishing he could disappear into the sofa.

When asked whether he had seen the pictures before, the Prince of Wales replied: “I’m still thinking about your python.”

The remark sent Irwin into an immediate fit of embarrassment. He turned bright red and buried his face in the sofa, giving the audience a memorable reaction to the royal’s cheeky observation.

Robert Irwin’s Bonds Underwear Campaign Had a Conservation Message

Although the campaign featured Irwin modelling underwear, he explained that the shoot was designed to do more than showcase him in front of a camera.

For the wildlife enthusiast, it was an opportunity to bring conservation to an audience that might not normally engage with environmental issues.

“It was an underwear commercial, obviously, but I wanted to kind of create a conservation element to it,” he explained.

“I believe in bringing the message to an audience that might not ordinarily be in that world. But seriously, what matters to me is the snake in that image, wildlife was showcased.”

The campaign was filmed in the garden at Irwin’s home at Australia Zoo in Queensland, Australia. Rather than relying solely on conventional underwear advertising, the shoot incorporated live wildlife, with snakes and spiders crawling over the conservationist.

The result combined Irwin’s modelling work with the subject that has defined much of his life: protecting animals and raising awareness of the natural world.

Irwin has continued to build his public profile through conservation projects and television appearances, following the path established by his late father, Steve Irwin, the celebrated wildlife expert known to millions as the Crocodile Hunter.

His popularity has also grown beyond the conservation world. Last year, he became a major name among American television audiences after competing on—and winning—Dancing With The Stars, following in the footsteps of his older sister, Bindi Irwin, who won the competition years earlier.

Prince William Reveals His Family’s Favourite TV Show

The appearance also gave viewers a glimpse into the Prince of Wales’s life away from royal duties and environmental campaigning.

William joined Irwin, Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett and presenter and actress Hannah Waddingham on the red sofa, where the conversation covered everything from conservation to television.

One of the programmes that has captured his family’s attention is The Celebrity Traitors. William revealed that he and his family are enthusiastic viewers, with his children particularly invested in the series.

“I love it, the family love it. Charlotte and Louis are obsessed with it. It’s really good telly,” he said.

His comments offered a lighter look at family life, with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis apparently just as caught up in the reality competition as their father.

For Irwin, meanwhile, the interview delivered an entirely different kind of television moment. What began as a discussion about his conservation work and an underwear campaign ended with a royal joke, a very red face and an attempt to hide from the cameras—all in front of the Graham Norton Show audience.