06 March 2024 , 23:00
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The Prince and Princess of Wales were once caught have a flirtatious moment at a basketball match in the US, according to a lip reader.
Prince William and Kate Middleton were spotted courtside at basketball game between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, United States on November 30, 2022.
The royal couple arrived about 15 minutes before tip-off and took their seats next to then-Massachusetts Governor elect Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. William, 41, had an awkward glance at the big screen while he and Kate's faces were shown to the crowd on the big screen - as “USA!” chants echoed - before both royals grinned and waved.
However, the pair still seemed to enjoy themselves as they laughed and smiled at each other, appearing to have a flirty exchange which was later revealed by lip-reading expert Jeremy Freeman (BAMPS). Speaking to the Daily Star at the time, Freeman said the interaction went as follows: "Kate says: I’d have to be better to play.
A lip reader claims the couple had a flirty exchange (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)"Will covers his mouth when replying. Kate says: I’m just as good as you. Will says: No I’d say (covers mouth) Excellent - it’s a definite no! Kate says: Why? Will covers his face."
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The royal couple were on their first trip to the States since 2014. When their images appeared on the Jumbotron, there were a mixture of cheers and boos. The incident soon found its way onto social media, where fans of the game were quick to poke fun at the royal couple. "What was the Point of Dumping the Tea in the Harbor if you’re just going to invite the Royals to a Celtics game 249 years later," one person wrote on X.
ITV News' Royal editor Chris Ship suggested the backlash could be attributed to "strong Irish roots" in Boston. However, the hostility also comes shortly after Prince Harry's godmother and the late Queen's former lady-in-waiting was accused of racism, spelling potential trouble ahead for the Firm.
William and Kate appeared on the Jumbotron (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Lady Susan Hussey, 83, stepped down from her honorary palace role after she was accused of racial abuse by Ngozi Fulani, a Black British charity campaigner, after the royal aide repeatedly asked where she was from at a reception on November 29 that year.
A spokesperson for William said at the time it was "really disappointing" to hear what had happened. It comes as William has spoken out about the outlandish conspiracy theories about his wife as she continues to recover from abdominal surgery.
In recent days, cruel conspiracy theories have begun to appear online about the princess mid few updates about her condition following an operation in mid-January. It is despite Kensington Palace saying Kate would not be resuming duties until at least Easter and would not be be providing updates on her condition.
She was seen for the first time since Christmas Day earlier this week when she was snapped out driving near her Windsor home with mum Carole Middleton. Kate’s long-awaited return was plunged into chaos yesterday when the Army announced she would appear at a Trooping the Colour rehearsal in June but hours later was forced to remove it.