Showbiz journalist Megan Bull met Prince William for the first time on Tuesday 13 October during a cricket game on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace, and one thing left her speechless: his genuine, uncalculated manner.
The event brought together cricketing stars from the United Kingdom and India for a special Earthshot Prize occasion, held ahead of the 2026 prize ceremony in Mumbai next month. Despite a heavy downpour earlier, the royal met players including Joe Root, Brian Lara and Harry Brook.
A Relaxed and Sincere Royal
Bull, who spent the morning watching the royal, noted that William was "a good sport" and seemed "relaxed and sincere" not only with the cricketing superstars but also with members of the public. She observed that his interactions felt "nothing manufactured or calculated," and that he barely glanced at the press pen, instead getting fully involved in the day.
At one point, William took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves to play cricket. While he was not the strongest batter or bowler, he "really gave it a good go," showing focus during his batting turn and laughing playfully when he missed, before landing a good hit by the end.
Generous With His Time
Bull also saw a hint of competitiveness, referencing past interviews where Princess Kate joked that she and her husband can be competitive. After spending time with each cricket player, William moved to the public, stopping for selfies and conversations with passers-by.
His team eventually had to call him over for a group photo with the other cricketers because he was so generous with his time—a sign, Bull wrote, of "a royal who really cares."
