He said: “The world needs, as a real matter of priority and justice, is to safeguard and honour the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, who depend on the forest for their lives and livelihoods.

“And who are themselves wise and experienced custodians.

“In fact, I’m wearing what I’ve been given earlier when I met them – and this one comes from Ecuador.”

Charles was given the necklace by Juan Carlos Jintiach, coordinator of international economic cooperation and autonomous indigenous development of the Amazon Basin, prior to his speech.