PRINCE William might be next in line to the throne but one little boy not only failed to recognise him - but somehow managed to mistake him for "the government".
The Prince of Wales has been praised for joking and laughing his way through an "adorable" chat with a three-year-old during a walkabout in Windsor in Berkshire.
William was visiting with his wife Kate when introduced to the young boy who seemed excited to be there - only a little confused.
A new TikTok video clip has revealed the moment the future king was asked by the youngster: "How long until we are going to be able to see Prince William?"
The royal played along, winking at the boy's parents and joking: "We don't know where he is! Have you seen him yet?"
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After the boy answers "no", William can be heard continuing: "Where do you think he is? Do you think he went that way?
"He might come along in a minute - we'll see if he's there."
After asking if the boy knew who he was, William receives the response: "Erm - the government?"
The laughing prince replies, looking down at his navy suit, with the words: "No, I'm not the government - I look like the government, do I?
"They dress like this a lot."
He finally reveals, "My name is William too" - and the penny drops for the youngster, who exclaims: "You're Prince William - it's Prince William, mummy."
The conversation came on May 7, the day after William's father Charles was crowned king at Westminster Abbey in London.
But 41-second footage of the encounter - filmed by the boy's grandmother - has only recently been posted online on the "Royal Watcher" TikTok account.
It has already attracted 6,900 "likes", MailOnline reports.
Delighted viewers have been posting comments praising the prince.
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One called the conversation "Too cute for words", adding: "Both are adorable - lovely."
Another admirer wrote: "I love that he winked at the mum to keep it going. So cute."
William was also hailed as "Best future King ever" and 'Like his mother - a complete natural with children".
It was also said of the royal couple, "I love the way they talk to children", while someone else commented about the young boy: "What a story he'll tell his kids one day".
It was already known that Kate, later that day, gave an overwhelmed young girl a comforting hug after she had burst into tears.
William and Kate have three children of their own - nine-year-old Prince George, Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Prince Louis.
The couple used to live in Kensington Palace, before opting for a quieter life outside London - in Adelaide Cottage on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
