Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham’s cheeky quip to Prince William at Earthshot event
Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham had Prince William in fits of laughter as Wimbledon remained “optimistic” Princess Catherine could make a return to the tournament.
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Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham made a cheeky quip to Prince William up during an Earthshot Prize panel session in London, which left the future King roaring with laughter.
The Emmy winner was leading the discussion with Earthshot CEO Hannah Jones, trustee Tokunboh Ishmael and Prince William, as they discussed the prestigious environmental award.
As the father-of-three was giving an answer to her question, Waddingham lightened the mood with a cheeky crack at the future King.
“I always say to the [team] what’s the next thing? What are we doing? And Hannah [Jones], over the past four years she’s been not only flying the plane, she’s been building it, serving drinks and also providing all the emergency exits and landing it.” Before Prince William could finish his sentence, Waddingham jumped in and said: “It’s because she’s a woman [sir],” which was met with a round of applause from the room.
An amused Prince of Wales responded: “She is,” before laughing with the actress.
The Prince of Wales used the panel to celebrate the impact of Earthshot Prize finalists and global climate innovators at the event, highlighting changemakers of the environmental contest he created in 2020.
Also in attendance were fashion designer Stella McCartney and Microsoft mogul Bill Gates.
Waddingham, a supporter of Earthshot, hosted the third annual awards in Singapore last year and the two clearly have a good friendship.
The prince could also be heard congratulating Waddingham on her recent hit film, The Fall Guy, which also starred Ryan Reynolds and Emily Blunt, to which she laughed, “No spoilers, please.”
But her wit wasn’t only reserved for the future King. She also had a crack at former New York mayor Bloomberg who introduced her as Hannah “Wanningham”.
As she took to the stage, Waddingham said “Hello, hello, thank you very much, Hannah WADD-ingham. Let’s just get that right for a start.”
KATE COULD RETURN TO WIMBLEDON
Meanwhile, Wimbledon is said to be “optimistic” that Princess Catherine will present trophies to the men’s and women’s singles champions this year after she recently returned to public life by attending Trooping the Colour.
Wimbledon chair Debbie Jevans revealed the princess has been invited this year as usual and has not – yet – declined the offer to take her seat in the royal box for the July fixture.
Ms Jevans said the 42-year-old tennis-loving princess has been given “as much flexibility as possible” as she continues treatment for cancer, which could involve a decision on who will present the trophies until the actual morning of the finals.
A Wimbledon source said: “We haven’t heard that it’s a no, we’re optimistic, we still have a few days until the tournament.”
Earlier this month, the Princess of Wales made a surprise announcement on the eve of Trooping The Colour, the King’s official birthday parade, to attend with her family.
Her appearance on the famous palace balcony with the royal family was riotously cheered by crowds of thousands.
Wimbledon hopes she will do the same and announce her attendance for the 14 day championships at the SW19 courts which end on July 14.
“Everything is at the last minute and will be decided closer to the day and on the advice of her medical team,” a source close to the princess said.
“The princess loves Wimbledon and has been patron of the All England Club since 2016.”
Two years ago the highly esteemed trophy presentation which could have seen Kate handing a trophy to a Russian winner giving an inadvertent boost to Vladimir Putin, led to the All England Club’s surprising decision to ban Russians from the Championship after the invasion of Ukraine two years ago.
The Princess made her first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis on the Buckingham Palace balcony at Trooping The Colour, revealing she wanted to make the effort while she has “good days” while undergoing chemotherapy.
At the time she announced she was “looking forward” to appearing alongside King Charles, who has also battled cancer, for the revered balcony appearance at his birthday parade on June 15.
The mother of three had stayed away from the public eye since March when she publicly revealed she had cancer and has been undergoing preventative chemotherapy treatment.
Although the All England Club has not formalised alternative plans for the trophy presentation, options include another member of the Royal Household or Mr Jevans herself, as chairwoman of the club and former Wimbledon player.
CAMILLA A HIT WITH YOUNG FANS
Meanwhile, a day after stunning guests during a State Banquet for Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at Buckingham Palace, Queen Camilla has visited a primary school in the upscale Chelsea neighbourhood in London where she was a hit with young fans.
The Queen was stylishly decked out in a black and white Fiona Clare dress as she arrived at Christ Church C of E Primary School in Chelsea, south west London.
The royal was met by grade four students Marina, nine, and Lexi, eight, who had been practising their curtsies, according to the Daily Mail.
Camilla was told about a reading initiative, which allocates new pupils an older student as a guide and role-model throughout the new pupil’s first year at school.
Queen Camilla paired her chic ensemble with beige heels and accessorised with a gold necklace and a Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet.
The royal was given a tour around the school and she chatted to students as they coloured pictures and read books.
The Queen was shown a mosaic of King Charles which was made to mark the 2023 Coronation and she said, “Oh my goodness, that’s my husband!”
She added to pupils Leo and Hannah, both nine: “It looks pretty good to me. Did you do bits of this? It’s very clever. I think that’s brilliant.”
During her visit she met pupils called Charles and Kamilla. “You are called Kamilla?” the Queen responded. “Hello Kamilla, from another Camilla.
“Have you got a Kamilla butterfly here? How do you do it? Lots of different steps.”
Another boy said: “I’m Charles!”
“Are you? That’s what my husband is called,” she said. “Just the same name.”
Camilla was also asked if she was “the Queen” to which she laughed: “That’s me!”
It comes a day after King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted a lavish state banquet for Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at Buckingham Palace. Prince William, Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh also attended.
It is the first state visit to the UK by a Japanese head of state since 1998 and, unusually for such a trip, comes during a general election campaign.
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