Prince William has sparked a lot of confusion online following his appearance at yesterday’s state banquet (8 July)
On 8 June, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, arrived in the UK in order to kick off their three-day state visit.
As part of their schedule, the couple attended a state banquet as King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla hosted a soiree at Windsor Castle the same day they arrived, which was actually Kate Middleton’s first state banquet in two years.
And while many eyes were on Kate, it’s clear that it was her husband, Prince William, who people were talking about online given his somewhat unusual behaviour following his father’s speech.
In the toast, King Charles reflected on one thousand years of ‘shared history and culture between our two peoples’, adding: “For centuries, our citizens have admired each other, amused each other, and imitated each other. We have exchanged ideas, fashions and music.
“When Monet painted London’s fogs, when Jane Birkin, ‘la plus francaise des britanniques’, sang, or when Thierry Henry scored at Highbury, these were perfect combinations.”
After that, he referenced his own family’s historical ties with France, describing how the Castle was begun by his ancestor William, Duke of Normandy, back in 1070.
“So it is perhaps rather appropriate that my son, the Prince of Wales, who shares that earlier William’s name, has made Windsor his home with his family, like so many of our predecessors,” he said.
The King also praised the ‘truly modern partnership’ between the two nations, saying: “As we dine here in this ancient place, redolent with our shared history, allow me to propose a toast to France and our new Entente. An Entente not only past and present, but for the future – and no longer just cordiale, but now amicale.”
Now, during the meal, a video was papped showing the future heir to the throne sat down looking far less enthused than his surrounding guests who were all stood up and clapping following Charles’ speech.
One Reddit user penned: “I’d really love to know what William was thinking here…
“Everyone is standing clapping after Charles is done speaking it appears except…”
A second questioned: “Is this getting news coverage? Imagine if this had been one of the Sussexes?”
“Why is he seated when everyone else is standing?” hit out a third while another chimed in: “Wow. So everyone else is giving a standing ovation and he stayed seated without clapping?”
And a final Redditer echoed: “What a bizarre picture. Literally everyone at the table is giving the king a standing O yet his own heir can’t be bothered to stand.
“And Wills looks like he’s about to burst into tears. He wants to be anywhere else but there.”
