Jack Whitehall has responded to Prince William after the future King ‘outrageously shaded’ the comedian during a surprise school visit in the West Midlands.
His royal highness shared Princess Charlotte’s favourite joke as he dropped in on Freddie Hadley, 12, St Michael’s Church of England High School in Rowley Regis, Sandwell, after the youngster wrote to him last year inviting him to see their mental health initiatives.
During the visit, the Prince of Wales joined Freddie and his classmates for a segment on the school’s radio station, where he was asked to share a ‘dad joke’.
Jack, who is a father to daughter Elsie, seven months, with partner Roxy Horner, can be seen watching the Prince of Wales in a video and filmed his response and shared it to Instagram on Thursday.
Prince William said: ‘I’m kind of trying to channel Jack Whitehall, because most of his jokes are pretty dad-like.’
Jack can be seen beaming when the monarch said he was going to ‘channel’ him however, his jaw soon dropped when Prince William described the comedian’s jokes as ‘dad like’.
The royal then told a knock-knock joke about ‘Interrupting Cow’ instead, saying it’s currently Princess Charlotte’s favourite, adding: ‘That’s one I hear a lot at home at the moment.’
In a punchline some may have predicted, as the others around the table tried to ask: ‘Interrupting Cow who?’ the royal let out an abrupt ‘moo’.
As some laughed and some groaned at the quip, William insisted it was the best joke he could think of that was ‘clean’ and ‘broadcast-able’.
The comedian can be seen looking shocked by the joke before hilariously picking up his notebook and pen to remember the ‘dad joke’ for himself next time.
Jack joked that he has now lost the chance of getting a ‘knighthood’ as he wrote: ‘An outrageous shading from the future King. #DadJokes #theregoesmyknighthood’.
During the engagement, Freddie, 12, had no idea that the Prince was going to visit – instead he and his fellow pupils were told to prepare for a VIP guest….The Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands.
But when he saw William get out of the car, his face broke into a broad grin.
Freddie explained that he had been very impressed with the royal’s work on mental health issues.
The prince apologised for not being able to come when he was first invited on world Mental Health Day but said he hope he had made up for it.
Inside the building William told one member of staff: ‘ Lots of people write letters but Freddie’s was a really well written letter. I promised I would come. ‘
He added: ‘I am sorry Catherine can’t be here as well. She would have loved to [have come].’
A clip filmed outside the school showed William and Freddie deep in conversation as the future King spoke to the schoolboy about his letter.
‘So this is the young lad who started it all off,’ William said. ‘Very nice to see you, thank you for your letter.’
‘You’re very welcome,’ replied Freddie. ‘Did you think you would get a response, like that?’ asked William. ‘Yes I did,’ Freddie said.
‘Oh you did, that’s confidence, ‘ laughed William. ‘Why did you decide to write to me?’
Freddie had posted his letter on X, formerly Twitter, on World Mental Health Day last October telling the royal about the brilliant work he and his friends at school were doing.
To his delight, William personally replied, writing: ‘Good afternoon Freddie, I’m so sorry Catherine and I can’t be with you and the rest of the students at St Michael’s today. ‘Tackling mental health challenges and stigmas head on is so important, please keep up this important work. W’.
Comedian and actor Jack has previously starred in his own Netflix comedy-travel series, Travels With My Father, sit-com Bad Education and League Of Their Own.
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.
