What Prince William’s ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Appearance Really Reveals About the Future King
Prince William has made his Dancing With the Stars debut. Although we’ve seen William’s dance moves in the past (remember that Taylor Swift concert?), the future king did not show off his dancing skills in the ballroom. However, he did contact one of the contestants to wish them well.
During the Nov. 11 episode, the Prince of Wales made a surprise video call to wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin and jokingly poked fun at him for missing the Earthshot Awards.
The heir apparent teased Irwin for not being able to join him at the Awards Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this year.
“We’re missing you, Robert. Whilst your twinkle toes are going off elsewhere, I need you down here,” the prince told Irwin with a laugh. William continued to wish Irwin and his dance partner, Witney Carson, good luck, saying, “Guys, you’ve got a seriously good chance of winning it. So, just the best of luck on the show.”
Now, an expert is sharing what William’s interaction with Irwin says about the future monarch.
Darren Stanton is a body language and behavioral expert with a degree in psychology. He previously worked as a police officer and used his expertise to uncover the truth when interviewing hundreds of suspects. He later moved into media and TV as a consultant and has been dubbed the “Human Lie Detector.”
Speaking on behalf of Betfair Slots, Stanton told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “You just don’t see many royals or celebrities who are as comfortable and genuine in the way they connect with others. You certainly wouldn’t see them doing these kinds of fun, tongue-in-cheek appearances.
“What stands out most about [Prince] William is how much he truly enjoys engaging with people. He’s not putting on a front or flashing polite, practiced smiles; everything about his demeanour feels real. Both he and Kate share that quality — you never get the sense that their warmth is anything but sincere.”
The expert noted, “During his Zoom call with Robert Irwin, that authenticity was on full display. William’s body language was completely open and relaxed. He leaned in, smiled naturally, and his tone carried genuine affection and warmth. When he joked with Robert, it showed his easy humor and the kind of friendly rapport that comes from real connection, not formality; it was very reminiscent of Princess Diana.”
Stanton added, “Robert’s response — placing his hand over his heart — really highlighted how heartfelt the exchange was. You could tell William’s words truly meant something to him. That’s the thing about William: His empathy and passion come through effortlessly, whether he’s talking about conservation or just sharing a laugh.
“He consistently shows real confidence and approachability. He doesn’t rely on anyone else to make him comfortable in these interactions; he’s completely at ease being himself. In many ways, that’s something he’s clearly inherited from his mother, that genuine love for people and the ability to make anyone feel seen and valued.”
Showbiz Cheat Sheet acknowledges that conditions and cultures can impact body language and is sensitive to all backgrounds.
