Prince William Makes Dancing With the Stars Debut

Originally appeared on E! Online

Prince William has made his royal mark in the ballroom.

The Prince of Wales made a virtual appearance during the 20th anniversary episode of Dancing With the Stars on Nov. 11, surprising Robert Irwin and his dance partner Witney Carson with a few words of encouragement.

“Guys, you’ve got a seriously good chance of winning it,” William said during the group’s FaceTime call, which was shown in the dance duo’s pre-performance video package. “So, just the best of luck on the show.”

The heir apparent also teased the wildlife conservationist for not being able to join him Nov. 5 at the environment-focused Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“We’re missing you, Robert,” William continued. “Whilst your twinkle toes are going off elsewhere, I need you down here.”

To Witney, he added, “You need to get him in as much glitter as you can.”

And while William’s virtual message was an exciting surprise for Robert, it wasn’t the only visitor he received this week. Indeed, his sister Bindi Irwin—who won the Mirrorball trophy in 2015 with dance partner Derek Hough—paid her brother a visit with her 5-year-old daughter Grace Warrior.

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The 27-year-old later joined Robert on the dance floor, stepping in at the end of his and Witney’s foxtrot performance set to Leona Lewis’ “Footprints in the Sand,” which she had danced to during her own season.

At the end of this week’s performance, a surprise video clip of Robert and Bindi’s late dad Steve Irwin appeared on the ballroom floor, prompting Robert to break down in tears as Witney and his sister wrapped their arms around him.

ABC

“I feel so honored to be entangled in the Irwin story, just even a little bit. It means the world to me,” Derek said from the judge’s panel, which altogether awarded Robert and Witney a total of 40 points, the first perfect score of the season. “One thing I loved about your father was that he lived life with so much enthusiasm. And you, my friend, are this generation’s beacon of joy and enthusiasm.”

Robert Irwin, Witney Carson, Dancing With the Stars — Disney/Christopher Willard
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He concluded to Robert, “You’re not just walking the path that he set, my friend, you are dancing it and you’re dancing it beautifully.”

While Robert and Witney are dancing into the final weeks of the competition, read on to see who else has busted a move on the dance floor this season.

Baron Davis