There are usually strict rules when it comes to meeting royals. It usually becomes clear to those of us lucky enough to receive an audience when the chat is over.
But singer Olly Murs has told how he managed it Prince William about their favorite subject when they met at the King’s Coronation. And this ended up causing a huge influx of angry celebrities waiting to be introduced to the new Prince of Wales.
Olly explained that he was introduced to the next in line to the throne after the coronation show in May last year.
There was an open bar backstage, he said, explaining: “Drink whatever you want. I’m like, ‘Happy days.’ We had a few gin and tonics, and then a lady came over and said, ‘Prince William and Princess Kate would like to speak to you.”
Feeling a little awkward, and not knowing exactly what to talk about, Olly decided to talk to the prince about football. “The thing about me is, whenever I’m with people, the first thing I always ask is ‘What team do you support?’” he explained.
That opened the floodgates, Olly said, and William spoke at length about his love for Aston Villa. “He was telling me all about how much he loves going and how excited he is about the new owners and the season,” Olly continued.
Olly, himself a huge Manchester United fan, said the chat lasted “a good ten minutes”. It became increasingly clear that there was a growing queue of people, all waiting their turn to speak to the new Prince of Wales. He continued: “I looked around at one point and there were about 30 or 40 people wanting to speak to him, but we were having such a good chat about football.”
Eventually, though, the Essex-born singer decided enough was enough. He explained: “I said, ‘Look, William, it’s lovely talking to you, mate. Have a good night. I’ve got to go.’ I kind of had to sneak away.”
While this is not the recommended way to conclude a conversation with a senior royal, Olly felt that under the circumstances he had no choice.