Princess Diana’s dance partner recalls charming childhood memories of Prince William and Prince Harry

Princess Diana’s closest friend and former dance partner, Wayne Sleep, is giving us more details on Prince Harry and Prince William’s childhood. During an interview with Hello!, he opened up about his special bond with the Princess. 

• Princess Diana and the professional dancer began their friendship after she contacted him to help her choreograph a surprise performance for Prince Charles.
• Throughout his years of dancing, Wayne became an expert in tap, jazz, and contemporary forms of dance.
• In other royal news, Prince George fans are convinced he can help England win the Euros final.

Many have become nostalgic after the unveiling of the Princess Diana statue, including the Princess of Wales’ former dance partner. Initially, the two met in December of 1985, when she contacted Wayne to perform a dance to Billy Joel’s Uptown Girls as a surprise present for Prince Charles’ birthday (which was also portrayed in season four of The Crown). From there, their bond grew and the two remained in touch for the years to come.

"She used to come to my house and I'd cook trout in almonds, I'd also have a lovely cake at the end. Little chocolates for the boys or something silly," he said in an exclusive interview with Hello!

The dancer played a role when Prince William and Prince Harry were younger, even sending gifts to the palace for their birthdays. 

“Every birthday I used to send up to the Palace a silly present for the boys–when they were like four or something. She would always phone me during the evenings. I would say, 'How's it going?' But a lot of it is a bit private," he told the magazine.

He also couldn’t help but feel sorrow for Prince William and Prince Harry, who recently showed unity to honor their late mother. 

“All I care about really are her sons at this time, because it would have been lovely to have their mother live a long life like my own mother who was 72 [when she passed away]. When my mother died, she sent me a letter saying she was sorry." he revealed, adding that she even invited his parents to the Palace every year for the annual Christmas party with the staff. "They loved it. Sometimes I went with them."

He couldn’t help but point out her natural “charisma” which paired with their shared sense of humor, created an ever-lasting friendship Wayne still reflects on today.

“She had that thing called charisma. She was charismatic and even when she spoke with that very quiet voice, it was something that pulled you in and you just wanted to embrace her all the time.”