The shift from natural fibres such as wool to synthetic fibres when making clothing has been an environmental catastrophe which future generations will pay for if current trends do not change, said Prince Charles in an exclusive interview with The Australian Financial Review Magazine.

A long-time advocate for the environment, Prince Charles agreed to the rare interview to discuss the fashion industry's biggest environmental challenges, as well as his concerns for the Great Barrier Reef, for the April fashion issue of AFR Magazine, which is published on Friday. His Royal Highness will begin his 16th Royal Tour of Australia on April 4 when he will open the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.