The Duke of Cambridge presided over the first Investiture Ceremony this year at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, investing many worthy Britons with new honours for services to the community.
A viral moment from the Investiture Ceremony occurred when William presented an MBE to Alex Duguid, an ITV sign interpreter who works with ITV Tyne Tees and Signpost, and congratulated him in British Sign Language.
“Congratulations Alex,” William signed.
Duguid was presented with his honour for services to deaf people and British Sign Language education. The Kensington Palace Instagram account noted that Duguid “has been the face of popular British TV shows Emmerdale and Coronation Street for its deaf audience for decades, as a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.
“He is an example of how profoundly deaf people can have an impact on their community, their peers and their country. He is passionate about BSL and the need to promote and protect it.”
Another honouree was Fr Brian D’Arcy, who received an OBE for his commitment to cross-community relations in Northern Ireland. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Fr D’Arcy said, “I was very honoured to receive the award and it was a very pleasant, warm day.”
He continued, “It was about all of the good work and the good deeds of others and not about politics, but about recognising the good work and the progression of the community.”
Fr D’Arcy revealed that during his investiture, William asked about his work “and he was anxious to know if the situation in Northern Ireland was changing and he had hope for the future.”
He also revealed a bit about what happens during an Investiture Ceremony. He told the Belfast Telegraph that following the ceremony, there was a reception that included a tour of Buckingham Palace.
William also presented honours to Sir Andrew Strauss, a cricketer and former England Cricket captain; Margaret and William Foster, who have been foster parents to 183 children over 34 years; rapper MIA; Ken Brown, a BBC Golf expert; David Gill, the FA Vice-Chair; and Anna Meredith, a Scottish composer.
William also knighted Oliver Robbins, a Brexit negotiator for former Prime Minister Theresa May.
Speaking afterwards, Gill told the Evening Standard that he spoke to William about Aston Villa during his presentation.
“I’ve been lucky enough to meet (William) a few times and talk about football, he was more worried about Aston Villa and how they’re going to finish this season. We had a nice chat about football, he’s a keen follower of it.”
