Will Young's Emotional Encounter at Buckingham Palace
2024-08-14 15:39- Will Young shares a touching moment at Buckingham Palace lunch with the late Queen.
- The singer recalls a butler thanking him for publicly coming out.
- The encounter was a heartfelt and memorable experience for Will Young.
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Insights
Darius Campbell Danesh, known for his hit "Evergreen," recently shared insights from his life and career on Jamie Laing’s Great Company podcast. The 45-year-old singer, who gained fame as the inaugural winner of Pop Idol in 2002, recounted a touching moment when a butler from the royal household approached him to express gratitude for his public coming out as gay shortly after his victory. Young described the atmosphere of secrecy surrounding the butler's appreciation, highlighting the challenges of being openly gay during that era. In a separate conversation with Rylan Clark on the BBC podcast How To Be In The Spotlight, Young opened up about his experience on the popular dance show Strictly Come Dancing. He revealed that he felt pressured to participate despite struggling with mental health issues, including agoraphobia. Young admitted that during his time on the show, he often felt disoriented and disconnected, stating, “If you ever watch it back, I was not even in the room.” The current season of Strictly is facing scrutiny due to allegations of abusive and inappropriate behavior behind the scenes. This controversy has led to the removal of two professional dancers, Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice, from the lineup ahead of the new season's launch this autumn. Young's reflections come at a time when the show is under increased public and media scrutiny, raising questions about the environment for participants.
Contexts
On June 15, 2024, the Princess of Wales, diagnosed with cancer, made her first public appearance at Buckingham Palace balcony alongside other royals, including the King and the Prince of Wales, marking a significant moment in her public life as she battles her health condition. Just five days earlier, on June 10, 2024, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, sharing a portrait that captured their enduring love. The Duchess displayed her supportive nature by placing a comforting hand on Prince William's back during a public appearance, showcasing the close bond within the royal family. Moving forward to June 20, 2024, Sony Music secured a historic deal by acquiring Queen's music catalog for $1.27 billion, including timeless hits like 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and 'We Will Rock You', highlighting the immense value of Queen's musical legacy. Fast forward to June 25, 2024, King Charles and Queen hosted Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan at Buckingham Palace, setting the stage for a grand state banquet that signaled the start of the Emperor's three-day state visit, characterized by opulence and ceremonial traditions. On July 7, 2024, King Charles III welcomed the West Indies cricket team at Buckingham Palace, expressing his care for those impacted by Hurricane Beryl and sending heartfelt condolences to the Caribbean region. Buckingham Palace's iconic balcony room was opened to visitors for the first time on July 10, 2024, offering a glimpse into royal history from the balcony where members of the British royal family have made appearances for nearly 200 years to the Centre Room. The palace announced new guiding principles on July 29, 2024, intended to shape King Charles' reign and redefine the monarchy's purpose in today's society. Queen Elizabeth II and James Bond teamed up for a surprise at the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony on July 26, 2024, capturing the hearts of viewers worldwide with their unforgettable sketch. Queen Elizabeth II brushed off allegations linking Prince Andrew to Epstein on August 14, 2024, as the Prince prepared to visit the King at Balmoral despite the controversy, with the late Queen showing little concern about the claims against Prince Andrew. Lastly, on the same day, Will Young discussed the challenges of hiding his sexuality during his time on Pop Idol, refusing to conform to societal expectations despite being advised not to disclose his sexual orientation publicly, shedding light on the complexities of navigating fame and personal identity.
