Prince William receives apology from man who mistook him for singer Prince in hilarious mix-up

The Prince of Wales, 44, explained how 22-year-old Sebastian Smith mistook him for the world-famous, deceased singer during a visit to Sweet ­Surprise cafe in Ilminster, Somerset, earlier this month.

The cafe provides ­workplace education for adults with learning difficulties, including Mr Smith, who has Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder.

William told fellow guests Cate Blanchett, Hannah Waddingham and Robert Irwin on The Graham Norton Show that Mr Smith called him a “lovely gentleman” before asking him when he was going to sing.

“It turned out he wanted me to sing Purple Rain, which I don’t know the lyrics for,” he added.

Mr Smith’s mother, Claire, has subsequently explained her son’s confusion.

She told the Sun: “To be ­honest, I don’t think Sebastian had any idea who Prince William was – but he’s a massive fan of Prince the singer and can list all his songs and knows all the lyrics.

“So when Prince William arrived at Sweet Surprise, Sebastian assumed it was Prince the singer!”

“Considering his learning difficulties, it is amazing,” she added.

Mr Smith is now writing a letter to Prince William, according to his mother, apologising for the mix-up and thanking him for his visit to the cafe.

She added: “We’ve helped Sebastian write a letter to Prince William.

“In it, he thanks William for visiting and has apologised for mistaking him for Prince.

“We hope he sees it.”