"Before I start, I would like to admit something," Prince William told intrigued guests at an opening ceremony at Whitechapel Gallery on Thursday. "I am actually…Banksy. I thought it would be a good forum to bring it out! Any autographs I will do later."
William's joke played on the public intrigue surrounding the identity of anonymous graffiti artist Banksy, a mysterious street artisan whose work is owned by the likes of Christina Aguilera, Kate Moss and Angelina Jolie.
While the BBC has reported the artist to be 35-year-old Robert Banks,the substantial public uncertainty remains about his identity.
The ice-breaker from the 26-year-old former Art History student - he studied history of art at St Andrews before switching to geography - earned him plenty of laughs as he undertook his first engagement in the contemporary art arena. He was making a special appearance to unveil a £13.5 million expansion to the Whitechapel Gallery
Photo: © Getty Images
Friday May 15, 2009
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