'Prince William hugged me after chat about his mum'
A teacher who was honoured for her work in the deaf community has revealed details about the moment she met and hugged the Prince of Wales.Wendy Daunt, who voluntarily teaches deaf studies at the Royal School for the Deaf in Derby, was appointed OBE at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.She said that during her meeting with Prince William, which was interpreted through British Sign Language (BSL), she spoke about his mother, Diana, and his three children.Ms Daunt said: "It was his face that led to my questions. I wanted to try and lift the moment."
She continued: "I wanted to tell him how proud the deaf community were of his mother, Princess Diana."She came to the British Deaf Association conference in Blackpool, and there were thousands of deaf people there. "She came on stage to receive a book, and she signed in BSL and the deaf people were so amazed and in awe of this. "A royal person had actually accepted our language. The respect for BSL that she gave, we've kept that all these years and will never forget that. "I think Prince William actually appreciated that."So I said 'why don't your three children learn to sign?', and his face said 'I'm not sure', but then he said 'maybe Prince George would like to'."Prince William did say that I could teach Prince George BSL. But I think it would be better for a younger person, a boy of his own age perhaps to teach him football signs."I would like Prince George to be friends with deaf children."
Wendy also received a hug from the prince as their conversation reached its conclusion.She said: "At the end, he held out to shake my hand. I couldn't remember putting my hand forward to shake his, because it's not my culture. "Deaf culture is we always have a hug so I quickly said, without thinking, 'can I have a hug?'. "His eyes were looking from one to the other thinking 'no, we're not allowed' - but he did."The funny part was when we'd finished. They said I have to go back two steps, bow and turn and leave - but I didn't. "I remember hugging, then I realised I'd forgotten to curtsy and I went back to do a curtsy. It was totally overwhelming, but it was very funny."Wendy hopes to use her honour to challenge issues that people in the deaf community face."There are lots more barriers to knock down and I'm looking forward to doing that," she said."I did ask Prince William if he could come and visit our school in Derby, and he said 'it can be arranged'."
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