When actress Emma Thompson went to Buckingham Palace on Wednesday November 7th to receive her damehood from Prince William for services to the acting industry, she had one very cheeky request of the Duke.
And it was a question that made the royal blush!
But what HRH did next was typical of the big-hearted prince and a lesson in how to turn a situation around and make someone feel absolutely wonderful.
WATCH: Emma Thompson receiving her damehood from Prince William in the player above
Thompson’s known Prince William since he was little so can get away with joking with the Duke! (Image: AAP)
For, Thompson, the two times Oscar-winning star who’s filled our silver screens for over 30 years in roles in such diverse hits as Love Actually, Harry Potter, Nanny McPhee and Sense and Sensibility has revealed the affectionate conversation she shared with the prince.
“I love Prince William, I’ve known him since he was little, and we just sniggered at each other,” Thompson explained. “I said, ‘I can’t kiss you, can I?’ And he said, ‘No don’t!'”
We’ve all been there. Excitement and nerves combining to make even the most self-assured among us chatter on and come up with a comment that surprises even ourselves.
Put receiving an award from the heir to the throne at a royal palace into the mix and it’s no wonder the adorably-informal and supremely talented Thompson wanted to kiss the reluctant royal!
But instead of rebuffing Thompson for the sake of royal protocol, what Prince William said next showed once again what we already knew – what an all-round good human being he is.
WATCH: Emma’s famously heartbreaking scene from Love Actually.
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“If you’re first up you have to be more formal on such an occasion,” explained Thompson. “But he’s looking wonderful and doing so well. He said, ‘This day isn’t about me, it’s about you’.”
Perfection! The 36-year-old Prince proved that when it comes to making people feel good about themselves, he knows just what to do and judging by the warmth of the images of this special moment between the actress and HRH, it’s a skill that comes from the heart.
“It’s really lovely because I’ve always loved the boys and I’ve always been a long-term correspondent with their dad, it’s a very lovely feeling,” said Thompson.
READ MORE: Prince Charles’ most dashingly handsome moments of all time
The actress, 59, has long been a good friend of Prince William’s father, Prince Charles and Prince Harry with Thompson revealing three years ago that she used to send the Prince of Wales letters about her experiences at a theatre company in a bid to raise a smile during his very public split from Princess Diana.
Thompson, who carried on her famously relaxed take on life by teaming her navy Stella McCartney suit with white trainers to the ceremony, has also previously spoken about what it’s like to dance with Prince Charles.
Apart from declaring with typical Thompson irreverence that it was “better than sex”, the star went on to say, “There’s a long history of relationships between Princes of Wales and actors – not just actresses, not just the rude relationships as he (Charles) would say, though god knows I’ve tried. He wasn’t having any of it.”
Thompson has long been a friend of Prince Charles and his boys. (Image: Getty Images)
Beaming with pride after she officially became a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Thompson posed for photos with her family who accompanied her to Buckingham Palace, including 52-year-old actor husband, Greg Wise, 18-year-old daughter Gaia and adopted son, Tindyebwa, 30.
Emma Thompson’s lookalike daughter, 18-year-old Gaia, poses with her family after her mother’s award ceremony. (Image: AAP)
Thompson was recognised for her achievements in the Queen’s Birthday Honours back in June and is rightfully proud of the incredible honour.
But, in her own imitable fashion, the actress and activist made light of the award in September when she appeared on Late Night with Seth Myers and joked that she was only accepting the damehood because she wanted “some new jewellery.”
Congratulations, Dame Emma. We wouldn’t have you any other way!
Dame Emma Thompson beams outside Buckingham Palace. (Image: AAP)
