Professor John Marshall was presented with his Polar Medal by King Charles III at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.

The prestigious royal honour is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding achievements in polar research, and particularly those who have worked over extended periods in harsh climates. Previous recipients have included Sir Ernest Shackleton and Sir Edmund Hilary.

John has spent the last 30 years exploring the Arctic, amassing over a year’s worth of time living and working in remote camps in extreme conditions.

Through these expeditions, he has uncovered new evidence of some of the world’s first forests and four-legged animals, as well as a mass extinction event caused by an ultraviolet burst in the Earth’s atmosphere.

He was awarded the Polar Medal by King Charles III in the 2026 New Year’s Honours list and received his medal from His Majesty during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in July.

Reflecting on the experience, John said:

“Being a veteran of many graduation ceremonies one expected it to be a bit similar. Line up in correct order, a quick handshake and a glass of somewhat average wine. But no, it had been somewhat perfected – albeit with the advantage of more bling than the Guildhall and with original artworks of Kings and Queens that were familiar from the history books.

“In the waiting time, one was free to wander the staterooms and ask questions of the guides who were at least perspiring somewhat more than the guests in their ceremonial outfits. Then when the time came, it was into sequence order with ones’ guests and then we all went up together, so they were part of the ‘audience’.

“The investiture was by HM King Charles III, and we chatted for about 3 minutes. He was genuinely interested about ice in Greenland, and I was a witness to the change. Perhaps more compelling than some charts on another lab tour. Then a quick handshake that was the exit signal and out of the door for the inevitable photos.”

Listen to our podcast with John on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to find out more about his work and career – and what it’s really like living and working in the Arctic.

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