The princes of England, William and Harry, were given a royal tour of the set of Star Wars: Episode VIII at Pinewood Studios in London.
The Duke of Cambridge and his brother Harry were given a royal tour of the Star Wars: Episode VIII sets at Pinewood Studios (via Daily Mail). They got to mix and mingle with the cast and crew of the film, but they couldn’t leave without doing one very essential act of protocol: hugging Chewbacca (played by Joonas Suotamo).
IVER HEATH, ENGLAND – APRIL 19: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R) is hugged by Chewbacca during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios on April 19, 2016 in Iver Heath, England. Prince William and Prince Harry are touring Pinewood studios to visit the production workshops and meet the creative teams working behind the scenes on the Star Wars films. (Photo by Adrian Dennis-WPA Pool/Getty IMages)
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The princes were very impressed with all that Lucasfilm had accomplished with their practical effects, and plied the cast with questions about their experiences. William asked Daisy Ridley, for example, how long she had to train for the lightsaber fight. “Three months,” Daisy said. She encouraged him and Harry to take up the lightsabers and have a go at a duel. The brothers struck the blades lightly, afraid they would break, but then were assured they wouldn’t. Daisy said Adam Driver broke a few, but that she never had. The princes exchanged some fun banter, with Harry exclaiming with Kylo’s sword in his hand, “Why am I always the baddie?”
They got to explore the other props of the film, and were fascinated by a lifelike latex mask of Rey and a creature head that was used in The Force Awakens. They met BB-8 and saw a life-size R2-D2 and C-3PO, and got to sit in an A-wing. Mark Hamill was probably giving Prince Harry piloting tips in the photo below.
IVER HEATH, ENGLAND – APRIL 19: Prince Harry (L) sits in an A-wing fighter as he talks with US actor Mark Hamill during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios on April 19, 2016 in Iver Heath, England. Prince William and Prince Harry are touring Pinewood studios to visit the production workshops and meet the creative teams working behind the scenes on the Star Wars films. (Photo by Adrian Dennis-WPA Pool/Getty IMages)
Mark Hamill thought that if he tried to hug the princes, like Chewbacca, he “would get arrested – but there’s something about a Wookie that means you just wanted to be hugged.”
In addition to Mark Hamill, the princes got to meet Ridley, John Boyega, Rian Johnson, and Kathleen Kennedy. William personally admitted to being a huge fan of Star Wars, so it must’ve been a dream come true to be able to visit the set of the new saga film. Ah, the perks of being royalty.
IVER HEATH, ENGLAND – APRIL 19: (L-R) US actor Mark Hamill, US director Rian Johnson, Britain’s Prince Harry, Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and British actor John Boyega, (C) pose with Chewbacca and British actress Daisy Ridley (2nd R) during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios on April 19, 2016 in Iver Heath, England. Prince William and Prince Harry are touring Pinewood studios to visit the production workshops and meet the creative teams working behind the scenes on the Star Wars films. (Photo by Adrian Dennis-WPA Pool/Getty IMages)
The only thing that would have made this visit more perfect is Carrie Fisher, but I bet she’d break all kinds of protocols. Mark Hamill said on Twitter that he was advised to not even point his finger at the royals, but he managed to sneak a finger point at BB-8 in the group photo. Hugs were also not allowed, though exceptions were made for Chewbacca. Carrie probably would’ve wanted to kiss the princes, which might have brought national security down on Pinewood Studios. But come on, she’s royalty, too.
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You can view more photos and behind the scenes tidbits of William and Harry’s visit to the Episode VIII sets at Daily Mail.