When you’re a Prince, you get what you want. As if a visit to the set of Star Wars: Episode VIII and getting a hug from Chewbacca, meeting BB-8, and hanging out in one of the film’s vehicles wasn’t enough, the boys are also getting a cameo in the new movie.
The Daily Mail reports that Prince William and Harry were not expecting to film a cameo in Star Wars: Episode VIII, but director Rian Johnson surprised them with the offer after they arrived on set. “The line given was that they were going to have lunch and a private tour of the rest of the set. What really happened is that the director came over and told them it was time to ‘get suited,’ and off they went to the wardrobe department,” according to The Daily Mail.
The scene reportedly finds William and Harry “dressed up in full Stormtrooper gear” for a scene “in which Rey and Finn infiltrate a secret base. The rebel characters are in a lift with Benicio del Toro’s character when a group of Stormtroopers enter – two of whom are William and Harry.”
Disney and spokespeople for the Royal Family wouldn’t confirm if the report is true, but it wouldn’t be the first time a high-profile figure snuck into a Star Wars movie under the guise of a Stormtrooper. Look no further than James Bond star Daniel Craig, who appeared as a Stormtrooper in The Force Awakens when Rey used the Force to escape captivity:
You wouldn’t have known it was Daniel Craig making a cameo unless you recognized his voice.
The Mail says that the Princes returned the favor by pulling off a surprise of their own. “After filming the scene but still in his Stormtrooper outfit, Prince William presented a birthday cake to one stunned crew member.” Cute!
It’ll be interesting to see if the Stormtroopers Prince William and Harry are cameo-ing as will have speaking roles. If they don’t, we’ll probably never be able to figure out which two they are. I doubt that they’ll take off their helmets, seeing as their appearance would take you out of the story.
Star Wars: Episode VIII arrives in theaters December 2018.