Prince William making a “dirty” joke based on a Lionel Richie song on the day of King Charles III‘s coronation has gone viral on TikTok.
The Prince of Wales got up to give a speech in front of thousands at the Coronation Concert, within the grounds of Windsor Castle, Berkshire, England, on May 7, 2023.
The moment went newly viral after a fan picked out a daring joke William made at the event, at which singing stars Richie and Katy Perry were among the biggest acts.
Prince William pulls a face onstage while Princess Kate (right) watches, laughing, from the Royal Box at the Coronation Concert, at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, England, on May 7, 2023. The heir to the throne made a risque joke during his speech.
Stefan Rousseau-Pool/Getty Images
William said: “I want to say a few words about my father and why I believe this weekend is so important. But don’t worry; unlike Lionel, I won’t go on all night long.”
Fans on TikTok interpreted the joke as having a daring subtext after one posted the footage alongside reactions by Queen Camilla, Charles and Kate.
On-screen captions suggested Camilla “didn’t understand,” while it was suggested Charles, who was seen laughing, “understood.”
The video then cut to Kate who was seen giggling, and the montage finished with the on-screen caption: “Dirty mind.”
“All Night Long” is the name of one of Richie’s most-famous songs, and William’s joke was no doubt in part at least intended to simply indicate he would keep his comments brief.
However, fans clearly felt there was another more mischievous subtext as one wrote of Kate: “SHES THINKINH WHATS GONNA HAPPEN TONIGHTTT.”
Another wrote, “OMG [oh my God] KATES REACTION,” while the original poster added: “It’s about doing it all the night.”
The onstage appearance in May 2023 came eight months before abdominal surgery in January led to Kate’s life changing dramatically.
After the operation, she was diagnosed with cancer and began chemotherapy in late February before announcing in September that the treatment had concluded.
Kate has been gradually returning to work, conducting a visit to Southport, northern England, on Thursday, October 10, to comfort the grieving families of three girls killed at a Taylor Swift-themed party.
It was one of only three public visits Kate has done this year, alongside her attendance at Trooping the Colour in June and the final of the Wimbledon tennis championships in July in London, England.
Jack Royston is Newsweek‘s chief royal correspondent based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek’s The Royals Facebook page.
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