Home / Latest News / Kate Middleton

Prince William Goes Viral After Helping Student With Hilarious Excuse for Being Late to Class: Watch

William, Prince of Wales, helped a student out who was late to class thanks to his motorcade by appearing in a TikTok video with her.

prince william
The Prince of Wales smiling for selfies. Source: MEGA

Ulster University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, student, Samantha Johnson, was late to class on Thursday, November 14, but she had a very regal excuse on hand to clear her tardiness!

Johnson made a TikTok in which Prince William popped on the screen to give her a "royal pardon" for being late due to his extensive motorcade for his visit that morning to the college.

https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthaj0hns0n/video/7437172028894907680
Prince William helped a student out via TikTok! Source: TIKTOK

"Just tell her why we're late," she said in the clip about someone named Lesley.

Then, His Royal Highness appeared on the screen and quipped, "Lesley, I'm very sorry we're late, but see we caught up, and they wouldn't believe you were here, so just say hi."

Johnson replied to someone in the video's comment section, "Can’t argue with a royal pardon."

"Interactions with royals are getting more and more unserious and I love that for them," another comment stated.

"Makes them seem more real," Johnson replied.

prince william

This lighthearted moment comes after the future king balanced being heir to the British throne with the "emotionally devastating" cancer battles King Charles III, 75, and Kate, Princess of Wales, 42, endured throughout 2024.

In a rare interview during his current trip to South Africa, the future king was asked about his "annus horribilis" (Latin for "terrible year"), and HRH candidly replied, "Honestly? It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year in my life."

William's grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, famously called 1992 her annus horribilis due to the breakdown of three of her children's marriages and a fire at Windsor Castle. This year, her grandson "faced a far more devastating" lousy year that has won him the admiration of many royal fans.

HRH added, "So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult. But I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it’s been brutal."

meghan markle prince harry urged apologize kate middleton prince william

When asked how the future queen, who is not in attendance, was doing since completing chemotherapy in early September, HRH replied, "She's doing really well thanks. And hopefully, she is watching tonight and cheering me on."

The future king added, "She's been amazing this whole this whole year. I know she will be really keen to see tonight be a success."

This follows good news from Kate biographer Robert Jobson who dished, "From what I understand, Catherine is doing very well. She is back training at the gym and doing all the things she wanted to do. I do think that we will start to see a lot more of her and that she will carry out engagements as well as continuing to work behind the scenes."

Conflicting reports suggest the King is also "doing well," however, His Majesty is still battling the disease unlike his daughter-in-law.

prince william focused protecting kate middleton cancer free announcement

Powered by RedCircle

GET BREAKING ROYAL NEWS
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

More Stories

A UK barrister has a warning for the royals suggesting that the bedrock of British culture is under a strain that it may never truly recover. 
By Sakshi Singh · FEB 19, 2026
A new account suggests the two sisters-in-law competed fiercely for press attention and public approval.
By Abha Anindita · FEB 7, 2026
The Grammy-nominated artist discussed Harry and Meghan on a podcast, and shared what she thought about the estrangement.
By Abha Anindita · FEB 5, 2026
Meghan has already started to tease what appears to be a carefully thought-out Valentine's Day rollout tied to love, gifting, and slow mornings at home.
By Madhurima · JAN 28, 2026
Although Prince Harry's private security team identified her immediately, they found themselves in a legal stalemate.
By Sakshi Singh · JAN 26, 2026
Harry named 10 associates he was in regular contact with during the relevant period, including his brother, sister-in-law, and ex, Chelsy Davy.
By Medha Sengupta · JAN 22, 2026
The Duke of Sussex entered the Gothic Victorian court building around 10 AM.
By Abha Anindita · JAN 19, 2026
This time around, the palace appears unwilling to loosen its purse strings beyond what is necessary.
By Medha Sengupta · JAN 17, 2026
Insiders say the couple took on total risk with no investors involved.
By Abha Anindita · JAN 16, 2026
Sources say the silence was deliberate — but the Princess of Wales is choosing calm
By Abha Anindita · JAN 13, 2026