Hannah Waddingham has praised Prince William for being ‘quite the extraordinary man’ – and revealed how she communicated that to the royal.
The Ted Lasso star, 49, solidified her bond with the Prince of Wales, 41, after she hosted the Earthshot Prize Award Ceremony in Singapore earlier this month – a moment that made Hannah ‘very proud’.
Talking to Parade magazine, Hannah referred to William as a ‘glorious gentleman’ and revealed the sweet exchange where she and co-host Sterling K. Brown told the prince so.
‘We were hosting together, and he and I said to Prince William: “Sir, I hope you realise that you are a cut above the rest because you are”,’ she recalled.
Talking to the magazine, Hannah said: ‘What a glorious man he is. I even said to him myself with the equally fabulous Sterling K. Brown.
‘We were hosting together, and he and I said to Prince William: “Sir, I hope you realise that you are a cut above the rest because you are.”‘
She added: ‘He has created the Earthshot organisation, and he isn’t a poster boy for it.’
‘It was very obvious from being out there that he is the beating heart, and he really does care.’
The actress, who recently featured in Marks and Spencer’s Christmas advert, explained that William set out to ensure all contestants were cared for throughout the process, by ‘holding them up’ and ensuring they have everything they require.
‘He absolutely has those finalists and the people that are in that whole competition, he holds them up, he gets them everything they need,’ she said.
And Hannah didn’t stop there. ‘That man is passionate about the environment, and I was very proud to be there and be the figure heard for his organisation.’
She concluded: ‘He’s quite an extraordinary man.’
It comes after Hannah Waddingham’s Christmas Special was been dubbed ‘spectacular’ and ‘sensational’.
The Ted Lasso actress stars in Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas, which debuts today on Apple TV+.
The special has already won a string of positive reviews from critics who say the Emmy-winner is now set for ‘world domination’ for her ‘perfectly pitched performance in more ways than one’.
Recorded live at The Coliseum in London, the one-hour special features the Ted Lasso star ringing in the season with musical performances of beloved Christmas classics.
The Independent praised it as ‘like an old-fashioned variety show’ and say it is ‘reminiscent of An Audience with’ while the Guardian said ‘not even the Grinch could bah-humbug’ it.
Joining Hannah on stage is Sam Ryder, Luke Evans, and Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr. as well as Phil Dunster who plays Jamie Tartt in Ted Lasso and more special guests.
There are also appearances from additional performers including the English National Opera, the London Gay Men’s Chorus, The Fabulous Lounge Swingers and an 18-piece band.
Along the way, Hannah shares her personal journey to this magical moment with anecdotes and memories about her own holiday experiences.
Speaking to Forbes, Hannah said that in pitching the tone of special, she told executives that it would be, ‘somewhere between Dean Martin and Carol Burnett [shows],’ describing it as, ‘that style of having people over for the holidays, dropping in in their finery.
‘I mean, I feel like it’s a bygone era with people in beautiful dinner jackets and beautiful dresses, so I was keen for the band to be in their tuxes and my backing vocalists to feel a million dollars.’
And she certainly achieved her goal, in the show she opts for an array of red and gold festive outfits which she pairs with huge heels and old Hollywood make-up.
‘Already an undisputed legend and icon, Waddingham has ascended even further into the stratosphere with this special, something she confessed had been a lifelong dream of hers to do,’ Yahoo said of the episode.
‘She’s smashed it out of the park, proving once again why she is the bright shining star she is. As well as killer, show-stopping vocals Waddingham also brings her characteristic warmth, humour, and infectious energy to the 45-minute special,’ the review adds.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
