Prince William's touching gesture to teacher at Windsor Castle following her 'overwhelming' meeting
The Prince of Wales carried out duties at the castle this week
Prince William has been praised for a heartwarming and respectful gesture during an emotional meeting with a teacher at Windsor Castle.
Wendy Daunt voluntarily teaches deaf studies at the Royal School for the Deaf in Derby.
She was recently appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services and advocacy.
At her investiture ceremony held at Windsor Castle this week, she had the opportunity to meet and converse with the Prince of Wales, a moment that turned out to be both meaningful and deeply personal.
Prince William meets teacher at Windsor Castle
During their interaction, which was interpreted through British Sign Language (BSL), Wendy spoke to the prince about his late mother, Princess Diana, and the respect she earned from the deaf community.
“I wanted to tell him how proud the deaf community were of his mother, Princess Diana,” she told the BBC. “She came to the British Deaf Association conference in Blackpool, and there were thousands of deaf people there. She came on stage to receive a book, and she signed in BSL, and the deaf people were so amazed and in awe of this. A royal person had actually accepted our language.”
Prince William did say that I could teach Prince George BSL.
“The respect for BSL that she gave, we’ve kept that all these years and will never forget that,” she added. “I think Prince William actually appreciated that.”
The conversation soon turned to William’s own family. Wendy gently suggested that his children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, learn to sign.
Wendy added: “Prince William did say that I could teach Prince George BSL. But I think it would be better for a younger person, a boy of his own age perhaps, to teach him football signs. I would like Prince George to be friends with deaf children.”
Teacher admits ‘overwhelming’ moment with Prince of Wales
As their encounter came to an end, Wendy found herself instinctively following deaf cultural norms and made a spontaneous request.
She said that at the end, William “held out to shake my hand” and she “couldn’t remember putting my hand forward to shake his, because it’s not my culture”.
Wendy said that in deaf culture “we always have a hug”, so she asked the prince for one. She said that William’s “eyes were looking from one to the other, thinking ‘No, we’re not allowed’, but he did”.
The moment didn’t end there, as Wendy charmingly admitted to being swept up in emotion.
So much so, she said she forgot to curtsy to the prince and “went back” to do one. Wendy said the moment was “totally overwhelming but very funny”.
Meanwhile, Wendy hopes to use her recognition and platform to continue advocating for the deaf community.
Does Prince William live in Windsor Castle?
Although Prince William often carries out official duties at Windsor Castle, he does not live there.
In 2022, the Prince and Princess of Wales moved with their children to Adelaide Cottage, a four-bedroom residence located on the Windsor Estate.
The home offers them more privacy and proximity to nature – a priority for the couple as they raise Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Read more: What Prince William’s ‘unexpected’ coronation could look like
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