Viewers of Dancing with the Stars were left stunned on November 11 when Prince William made a surprise appearance during the show to support contestant and wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin.
While the future King didn’t exactly waltz onto the dance floor, his unexpected video message still made quite an entrance. Appearing on screen, William sent Robert a heartfelt message of encouragement, saying the young conservationist had “a seriously good chance of winning.”
Robert, son of the late Steve Irwin, was about to perform the foxtrot with partner Witney Carson when the video aired. Touched by the royal’s words, he said, “We’re doing this dance for Bindi and for Prince William—so let’s make it count!”
William also added a playful line referencing their shared passion for the environment: “We’re going to save the world… Best of luck on the show!”
The royal’s surprise message came just days after his visit to Rio de Janeiro, where he hosted The Earthshot Prize Awards—an event honoring those working to repair the planet. When William appeared on screen, Robert exclaimed, “Oh my goodness! How was Rio?” to which the prince replied, smiling, that the ceremony had gone “really well,” before joking, “We’re missing you—while your twinkle toes are off elsewhere, I need you down here!”
Robert became visibly emotional, and his dance went on to earn glowing reviews. Judge Bruno Tonioli called it a “royal seal of approval,” while Carrie Ann Inaba praised Robert’s evolution as “a beautiful storyteller with an open heart.”
Fans flooded social media with excitement, with one user posting: “Imagine getting a video message from Prince William, then delivering the most emotional dance and scoring the first perfect 10 of the season—Robert Irwin, you legend!”
Prince William’s brief yet memorable appearance followed his busy trip to Brazil, where he showcased his sporty side playing football and volleyball with locals, toured mangrove forests, and even visited the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue—recreating photos reminiscent of Princess Diana’s 1991 visit.
Safe to say, it’s been quite the royal week for the Prince of Wales.
