Prince William joked to Gary Oldman that he wanted to give him “a good wash” as he knighted the Oscar-winning actor at Windsor Castle.
Mr Oldman, 67, revealed that the Prince of Wales, 43, had spoken to him about his role in Apple TV’s Slow Horses.
“I just want to give you a good wash,” William said of Mr Oldman’s portrayal of veteran MI5 agent Jackson Lamb, according to The Standard.
“Well, I think I’ve scrubbed up okay today,” Mr Oldman replied.
Prince William tells Gary Oldman he wants to give him a 'good wash' at Windsor Castle
|PA / GETTY
The actor added that William also “mentioned The Fifth Element and Churchill of Darkest Hour,” confirming the royal is a “fan.”
“He said he was very happy that I was here today and that it was him that had the opportunity to present me with [the honour],” Mr Oldman said.
The exchange took place on September 30, when Mr Oldman attended an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle. The actor knelt before William and was formally knighted with a sword tap on his shoulders.
Mr Oldman was recognised for his services to drama after being included in King Charles’s Birthday Honours list. Following the ceremony, the actor reflected on the significance of the moment.
Sir Gary Oldman has received a knighthood from Prince William at Windsor Castle this afternoon
| PA“It compares to nothing else. It’s a singular event, that is what it is. I thought the Oscar was a big deal. No disrespect to the academy, but it sort of pales in comparison to this. It’s just been wonderful,” he said.
“I think I feel very honoured, very humbled and flattered, I think in equal measure,” he continued. “It compares to nothing else. It’s a singular event, that is what it is.”
Mr Oldman, who has starred in acclaimed films including Darkest Hour, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, has previously won the Academy Award for Best Actor. He received the Oscar in 2018 for his portrayal of Winston Churchill.
The actor said the knighthood was “very emotional,” describing the honour as unlike any other achievement in his career.
The acting legend has starred in the Harry Potter films as Harry's godfather, Sirius Black, and portrayed Gotham City Police lieutenant Jim Gordon in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy
| PAPrince William conducted the ceremony in his role as Prince of Wales, meeting other honourees, including BAFTA-winning actress Samantha Morton and England footballer Rachel Daly.
Investiture ceremonies at Windsor Castle are carried out several times a year to formally bestow honours awarded by the monarch. On this occasion, William represented King Charles in presenting awards to those named in the Birthday Honours list.
Earlier this year, in June, William also knighted England manager Gareth Southgate for his services to football as both player and coach.
The honour was conferred at the same venue and marked another high-profile recognition of national achievement.
The Oscar-winning actor was recognised for his service to drama during the King's Birthday Honours
| PAThe Prince of Wales has spoken publicly about his love of football, particularly his support for the England national team.
In March, he told The Sun: “If I’m home alone with the children, I probably don’t have the pre-match pint, but I do have a bit of superstition about where I sit when I’m watching them.
“If we’re not doing very well, I start moving round the house quite quickly, and I put the children in different positions hoping that’s going to change our luck.”
Prince William’s comments to Mr Oldman highlight his interest in film and television as well as his engagement with those honoured for their contribution to the arts. The actor, meanwhile, described the ceremony as a defining moment in his career, noting that while winning an Oscar was significant, receiving a knighthood surpassed it.