Prince William recalled the moment he was mistaken for the pop star on the Graham Norton Show, revealing he was asked to sing the hit during the mix up
A man who thought Prince William was the popstar Prince and wanted him to sing ‘Purple Rain’ has written to him to say sorry.
Sebastian Smith, 22, who has severe learning difficulties, met the heir to the throne last month and thought he was the late musician. The encounter was revealed by the Prince of Wales during his appearance on the BBC ’s Graham Norton Show, where he recalled he was asked to sing the 1984 hit ‘Purple Rain’.
Now Sebastian’s family have come forward to speak about the exchange which took place at the Sweet Surprise cafe in Ilminster, Somerset.
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William had been in the area to launch a new project with the National Emergencies Trust, when he also dropped by the cafe, which provides workplace education for adults with learning difficulties – including Sebastian, who has Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome.
Sebastian is a big fan of Prince the pop star, and when William arrived he thought it was him – and asked him to sing. But now he has now written a letter to the future King to apologise for his innocent error – and his family said he was loving all the attention.
Sebastian’s mum and dad, Claire and Mike, were amazed their son’s short conversation gained so much publicity. Claire said: “Our phones went crazy after the Graham Norton Show because our friends knew Prince William had been referring to what Sebastian had asked him.
“To be honest, I don’t think Sebastian had any idea who Prince William was, but he’s a massive fan of Prince the singer and can list all his songs and knows all the lyrics.
“Considering his learning difficulties, it is amazing how he can name all the songs, so when Prince William arrived at Sweet Surprise, Sebastian just innocently assumed it was Prince the singer!”
She added: “Sebastian is a bundle of joy – he really is such a happy lad. He is so entertaining and loves to cuddle people.
“We’re just a bit surprised he didn’t hug Prince William, although we think he might have given the Princess of Wales a cuddle had she been there as well!”
William told TV viewers during his visit to Somerset that “one lovely gentleman” in the community had asked him to sing Purple Rain. Sebastian is an adult learner at Sweet Surprise and has Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome – a rare chromosomal disorder which has left him with plenty of life challenges.
His parents first began to notice that their son might have some problems when he was aged four or five, and he was later diagnosed with the rare disorder, but remained in a mainstream school until he was 11 before going on to more specialist support.
“He’s really enjoying being at Sweet Surprise, and it’s helping him a lot – the royal visit was a very special day for everyone there,” said Claire.
And she revealed: “We’ve helped Sebastian write a letter to Prince William which we’re sending off to Kensington Palace. In the letter, Sebastian has thanked the Prince for visiting Ilminster, and he’s apologised for mistaking him for the singer Prince. And he’s signed the letter off with ‘lots of love – Sebastian’. We hope the Prince gets to see the letter.
“Sebastian is amazing. Despite all his difficulties, he can count to ten in six different languages, he knows what day of the week your next birthday is going to be on within a split second, and he can also play the piano.”
Sweet Surprise owner Jane Morgan added: “Prince William’s visit will be a day that everyone will remember and an honour for all who work here and for those that we support.
“It was wonderful to see how everyone relaxed and was perfectly at ease with him. Prince William was really interested in what we did and joked along with the learners – he was perfect.
“And as for Sebastian’s comments about Prince and Purple Rain, ‘oh my days’! But Prince William took it all in his stride with great fun. But it was very surreal to hear the Prince then mention it on the Graham Norton Show!”
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