17 July 2024, 10:19
It’s not every day you witness a member of the Royal Family letting loose and defying their own high standards of decorum. While some royals, like Princess Margaret and Prince Harry, are known for their rebellious streaks, Prince William has cultivated a more polished image.
Prince William, Taylor Swift, and Jon Bon Jovi share a laugh onstage during a charity event.
Yet, on one unforgettable night in 2013, Prince William stepped outside his comfort zone and belted out a rock classic alongside music icons Bon Jovi and Taylor Swift. The unlikely trio performed Bon Jovi’s anthem “Livin’ On A Prayer” at a charity gala for Centrepoint, a homelessness organization close to Prince William’s heart.
This impromptu performance was, by all accounts, orchestrated by Taylor Swift. According to Jon Bon Jovi, Swift “literally grabbed [Prince William] by the arm and ran up on stage,” revealing that both she and the prince knew the lyrics.
Prince William joins Taylor Swift and Jon Bon Jovi during a performance of "Livin' On A Prayer."
Recalling the event on a podcast in 2021, Prince William admitted to being initially caught off guard by Swift’s invitation. “She puts her hand on my arm, looks me in the eye, and says, ‘Come on, William. Let’s go and sing’,” he recounted. “To this day, I still do not know what came over me. Honestly, even now I’m cringing at what happened next, and I don’t understand why I gave in.”
Despite his initial hesitation, Prince William embraced the moment, joining Bon Jovi midway through the song. “I wake up, and I’m thinking to myself, ‘Am I standing on the stage singing ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’ when I don’t even know the words?'” he confessed.
Prince William takes the stage with Taylor Swift at a Centrepoint charity event.
The performance was met with enthusiastic cheers from the audience, especially the young people Centrepoint supports. This positive reception convinced Prince William to see the experience as a lesson in letting go. “At times, when you’re taken out of your comfort zone, you’ve got to roll with it,” he reflected. “It’s okay to not take yourself too seriously and have those moments where you let go and you just go, ‘Do you know what? I’m okay with this’.”
This impromptu performance wasn’t just a memorable moment; it marked the beginning of a lasting friendship between Prince William and Taylor Swift. Years later, the prince was spotted enjoying himself at one of her concerts, proving that Swift’s infectious energy has left a lasting impression.
