George, Charlotte and Louis receive thanks from Robert Irwin after 'perfect' gesture

The Waleses have received a special thank you from Robert Irwin for their "perfect" gesture.

The Australian conservationist, son of the famed Steve, specifically mentioned Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight, during a social media video this evening.

The young trio lent a helping hand in selecting the name of a delightful new kangaroo that has joined Australia Zoo.

The young eastern grey kangaroo joey has been christened Cwtch, a Welsh term meaning "cuddle" – a particularly apt choice given the animal's affectionate nature.

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Mr Irwin, a manager at the facility, unveiled the charming addition to the zoo's family on Instagram, revealing that the Wales children had assisted in the naming process.

The name, pronounced "kutch," reflects both the joey's endearing personality and a nod to the royal family's Welsh heritage.

The wildlife enthusiast expressed his gratitude to the young royals for their contribution, stating: "I am very proud to announce that my friends, the Wales family, helped us to name our beautiful new Joey.

"Our new Joey's name is Cwtch, which is Welsh for cuddle. The absolute perfect name for a joey kangaroo, because at this age, they love a cuddle, and they spend most of their time inside that pouch with their mum.

"I want to say a particular thank you to Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte for your help in finding this little one, a brilliant name."

He added: "So Cwtch is now proudly part of our family here at Australia Zoo!"

Mr Irwin's collaboration with the Wales family stems from his position as an ambassador for The Earthshot Prize, the global environmental initiative established by Prince William.

Through this prestigious role, he works alongside William and Catherine to highlight conservation efforts worldwide.

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The partnership enables Mr Irwin to amplify projects dedicated to protecting and restoring the natural world, complementing his own charitable endeavours through Wildlife Warriors.

His lifelong dedication to wildlife preservation aligns seamlessly with The Earthshot Prize's mission to develop innovative solutions for the planet's most urgent environmental challenges.

The royal connection has brought international attention to Australia Zoo's conservation programmes.

Eastern grey kangaroos serve as vital contributors to maintaining healthy Australian ecosystems, playing a crucial role in the bush and broader environment.

Yet these iconic creatures face mounting pressures from habitat destruction, changing climate conditions and human encroachment.

The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, among the largest and most active facilities of its kind globally, frequently provides care for eastern grey kangaroos and other macropod species.

Mr Irwin emphasised the broader mission: "With all of the animals that we support and all of the wildlife conservation efforts that we have around the world, it's all about making sure we give back to the wildlife and the wild places where they live."

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