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Man who mistook Prince William for Prince the singer writes to apologise

Sebastian Smith, 22, who asked Prince William to sing 'Purple Rain' during a Somerset cafe visit, has written to apologise for the mix-up, his family says. Prince William recounted the exchange on The Graham Norton Show.

2 outlets · 1L · 0C · 1R First reported Account updated
Image: Daily Mail
Image: Metro

1 / 2

The story, neutrally told

Mixed · 2Sebastian Smith, 22, who has Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome, has written a letter to Prince William apologising for mistaking the prince for the late singer Prince. Mixed · 2The exchange happened during Prince William's visit to the Sweet Surprise cafe in Ilminster, Somerset, on 6 October. The cafe provides workplace training for adults with learning difficulties, and Sebastian is one of its learners. Mixed · 2Prince William told the story on The Graham Norton Show, without naming Sebastian. He said a 'lovely gentleman' asked 'When are you going to sing?' and that the man wanted him to sing Purple Rain, 'which I don't know the lyrics for'.

Mixed · 2The Daily Mail dates the broadcast to 'last Friday' and Metro gives 23 October. Prince William appeared alongside Cate Blanchett, Hannah Waddingham and Robert Irwin, and the Mail adds that the appearance promoted the Earthshot Prize. Mixed · 2Sebastian's mother, Claire, said her son probably had no idea who Prince William was but is a huge fan of Prince the singer and knows all the songs and lyrics, so he 'innocently assumed' the visitor was the musician. Mixed · 2The family helped Sebastian write the letter, which thanks the prince for visiting Ilminster and apologises for the mistake. Metro reports it is being sent to Kensington Palace. The family hopes the prince sees it, and says Sebastian is enjoying the attention.

Left · 1Metro also quotes cafe owner Jane Morgan, who said the visit would be remembered by everyone and that Prince William took it all in his stride. Claire Smith described Sebastian as a 'bundle of joy' who can count to ten in six languages and play the piano.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.

Left1 outlet

Framing
Metro tells it as a warm human-interest story built around the family's and cafe owner's quotes.
Emphasis
Sebastian's abilities, his parents' pride, the cafe's role and details of the letter, including that it goes to Kensington Palace.
Leaves out or plays down
Little on the wider Graham Norton appearance, such as the other guests or the Earthshot Prize.
Charged language
“bundle of joy”
For example
“Sebastian is a bundle of joy” — Metro

Centre0 outlets

No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Right1 outlet

Framing
The Daily Mail treats it as a light royal story, leading with a pun headline and tying it to William's Graham Norton appearance.
Emphasis
William's TV anecdotes (police career, Aston Villa forums, 'DJ Xara') and the show's guests alongside the apology letter.
Leaves out or plays down
Omits the cafe owner's comments and the letter's destination and sign-off.
Charged language
“Purple reign!”“hilarious mix-up”“future King”
For example
“Purple reign! Man who mistook Prince William for Prince the singer writes to royal to apologise for the mix-up” — Daily Mail

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