Prince William’s unusual behaviour at state dinner has royal fans making same furious point
Prince William raised eyebrows during Tuesday’s state banquet at Windsor Castle when he remained seated while others stood to applaud King Charles’ speech. The future king appeared subdued as guests, including French President Emmanuel Macron, gave a standing ovation.
**King Charles’ Toast to Franco-British Ties**
In his address, Charles celebrated 1,000 years of shared history between Britain and France, referencing cultural icons like Monet and Thierry Henry. He humorously noted Windsor Castle’s French roots, built by his ancestor William of Normandy in 1070.
**Awkward Contrast Captured on Camera**
Video footage showed William sitting motionless as surrounding dignitaries clapped enthusiastically. His muted response contrasted sharply with Macron’s animated engagement and Princess Kate’s poised participation—her first state banquet in two years.
**Social Media Reacts**
Royal watchers flooded forums with theories. “Why is he seated when everyone else is standing?” questioned one Reddit user. Others drew comparisons: “Imagine if this had been one of the Sussexes?” referencing potential media scrutiny Harry and Meghan might face.
**Possible Explanations**
Some speculated William was emotionally affected, noting he “looks like he’s about to burst into tears.” Observers pointed out he may have been distracted or adhering to an obscure royal protocol, though no precedent explains the seated response.
**Historical Context**
The banquet marked Macron’s three-day UK visit, emphasizing renewed Franco-British ties. Charles coined the phrase “Entente Amicale” to describe the modern partnership, upgrading the historic “Entente Cordiale.”
**Palace Silence**
Neither Kensington Palace nor Buckingham Palace has commented on William’s behavior. As scrutiny grows, the moment highlights how even minor royal actions spark outsized interpretation during high-profile diplomatic events.
