While it’s expected to see Prince William at sporting events or royal galas, we’d never expect the Prince of Wales to just pop up in Goole. However, on Tuesday afternoon, he did just that as he joined BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James.
Greg is currently cycling the length of the United Kingdom in order to raise money for Comic Relief and during the Yorkshire leg of his journey, he was joined by William.
Praising the radio star, William said: “What you’ve done is set an example about helping out. That’s the thing. It’s volunteering some of your time, putting yourself through a bit of pain at the same time, and supporting others.
“It’s something we do very well in this country, but we don’t really shout about it enough. This challenge helps everyone see that. And it’s an amazing team effort. Huge well done, Greg.”
© Ryan Jenkinson / Kensington PalaceWilliam didn’t just praise Greg, as the 43-year-old also joined the presenter on the tandem bike. A clip shared by BBC Radio 1 featured the pair cycling together, with William in a black jumper and jeans and keeping safe with a red cycling helmet.
During the ride, Greg asked William if he was having a “nice time”, before enquiring as to whether the royal was feeling “safe”. He replied: “I do, I think. I feel you’re in control.”
© Ryan Jenkinson / Kensington PalaceAfter William joined the radio DJ, Greg said: “What an incredible surprise. I’d joked when I recorded a recent radio show with him that he was very welcome to turn up and do a stint on the tandem but I didn’t think he’d actually call my bluff. I can’t believe the impact of this daft challenge so far and it’s just beyond my wildest dreams that I’d get trusted to carry the future King around on a big long tandem.
“Completely bizarre but so kind of him to spend some time amplifying our message of making sure we look after the most vulnerable people in society. He didn’t have to jump on and stare at my back for 40 mins but I’m so grateful that he did. Unforgettable. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back on my bike.”
© Ryan Jenkinson / Kensington PalaceHe also joked: “I didn’t kill the future king, William, thank you so much, that was a real, real treat.” William then teased: “I was worried, there’s a few potholes you hadn’t seen, but apart from that, we were okay, and I can tell you, you’ve raised £1,000,020.”
William and Greg’s bond
William and Greg have developed a bond over the years, with the Prince of Wales appearing on the star’s radio show last month for a candid discussion on mental health.
During a panel discussion, the royal mused: “I take a long time trying to understand my emotions and why I feel like I do, and I feel like that’s a really important process to do every now and again, to check in with yourself and work out why you’re feeling like you do.”
“Sometimes there’s an obvious explanation, sometimes there isn’t. I think that idea that mental health crisis is temporary – you can have a strong mental health crisis moment, but it will pass.”
Speaking about handling the mental health of his three children, William added: “Being able to understand it, have time with it, decipher it, sometimes. You feel a sense that you need to fix it for everyone and that I find quite difficult. I have to remind myself that you don’t need to fix everything, but you need to listen and it’s important to be ok with those feelings and comments.”
