Smiley Prince William hailed as ‘sweet and thoughtful’ as he uses sign language to honour TV translator
PRINCE William threw himself back into work today at Buckingham palace as he handed out MBEs – and impressed fans by congratulating one guest in sign language.
The Duke of Cambridge, 37, can be seen smiling at TV interpreter Alex Duguid as he communicated “congratulations, Alex”, with Alex replying in delight, “Thank you.”
The thoughtful gesture no doubt meant a lot to Alex who has spent three decades helping broadcasters communicate with deaf audiences, and it also went down well with fans.
The Kensington Palace Instagram also paid tribute to Alex, writing: “He is an example of how profoundly deaf people can have an impact on their community, their peers and their country.
“He is passionate about BSL and the need to promote and protect it.”
Alex was honoured for his services to deaf people and to British Sign Language education, and soap fans will know him as the face of Emmerdale and Coronation Street.
People were quick to praise Prince William for using sign language to honour Alex.
One wrote: “Prince William is such a great person. He takes time to make people feel special and appreciated. His smile is genuine also.”
Another added: ” How nice and thoughtful that The Duke Of Cambridge signed. Well done to Alex Duguid MBE.”
He lost his own hearing aged three, when he tripped and fractured his cheekbone which lead to him becoming totally deaf in one ear and severely deaf in the other.
The Duke of Cambridge spent hours last night discussing Prince Harry’s decision to step down as a full-time royal.
He was earlier snapped looking exhausted as he drove in London this morning – but it was business as usual hours later at the investiture at Buckingham Palace.
The future king held court, awarding former England cricket captain Andrew Strauss with a knighthood at the stately event.
He also shared a joke as he gave gongs to rapper Mia, BBC golf expert Ken Brown and Scottish composer Anna Meredith.
Last night, the Queen said she was “entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family”.
But she made her sadness at their decision clear in her statement, saying: “Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life.”
The couple will now go through a “period of transition” that will see them “create a new life as a young family” and spend time in both Canada and the UK.
And while Meghan and Harry will initially stay in Canada, they are understood to then want to make Los Angeles their home.
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Last night it was revealed William and Harry’s relationship is “tense and deeply damaged” following a series of furious rows.
Among those critical of the Sussexes is Piers Morgan, with the GMB host slamming the couple for their treatment of the Queen during the chaos.
Meanwhile, Kate Middleton and Meghan have not spoken for six months, it was reported.