Prince William receives public apology after his identity was mistaken

Prince William has received a thoughtful apology after his identity was mistaken for Prince the singer. 

The Prince of Wales, 44, told the anecdote during his appearance on The Graham Norton Show last weekend – recalling a conversation from his recent trip to Somerset. 

William didn't name the man, but told guests: "I went to a place in Somerset and was looking around some of the local communities there, and one lovely gentleman looked up at me from his seat and said, 'When are you going to sing?'

"I’ve had many requests over many years from all ranging parts of society, and I said, ‘I’m sorry, what do you mean?"

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"He goes, 'When are you going to sing your performance?', and the lady behind tapped his arm and went, 'No, no, he’s not that prince'.

The future King's chat show aired last Friday, where William discussed his dream career (a DJ or a policeman) and the upcoming Earthshot Prize environmental awards in Mumbai.

Prince William's apology after mix-up

William spoke to 22-year-old Sebastian Smith at the Sweet Surprise Café in Ilminster, Somerset, earlier this month.   

The café provides opportunities for adults with learning disabilities. Sebastian has Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. 

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His mum Claire told The Sun: "To be ­honest, I don’t think Sebastian had any idea who Prince William was – but he’s a massive fan of Prince the singer and can list all his songs and knows all the lyrics.

"Considering his learning difficulties, it is amazing.

"So when Prince William arrived at Sweet Surprise, Sebastian assumed it was Prince the singer!"

She said they are helping Sebastian write William a letter of apology.

Why are we not seeing the Prince and Princess of Wales this week?

Though it's a busy week for King Charles and Queen Camilla – who are in the Caribbean for their autumn tour – it's much quieter for the Prince and Princess of Wales. 

This is because their three children are currently on half-term, and the couple typically steps out of the spotlight during the school holidays to spend time as a family.  

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Prince George, 13, has returned home from Eton College, where he is boarding, while Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight, are on a break from Lambrook School.

The family is also marking the first anniversary of moving into their Forest Lodge home in Windsor, which has been dubbed their "forever home".

The couple signed a 20-year Crown Estate lease on the eight-bedroom property in July 2025, before moving in last October.

Though William has no public engagements this week, he has not managed to remain entirely out of the public eye. 

His Duchy of Cornwall land sale of the Bradninch Estate in Devon has sparked backlash among tenants, whose futures have been left uncertain.