Prince William, president of the Royal Marsden Hospital, has given an exclusive interview with cancer survivors and Children's BBC Press Pack members Alice aged 10, and Oscar aged 12. The interview aims to highlight the hospital's efforts to build Europe's largest children's cancer treatment center. Said Tessa Green, chairman of The Royal Marsden Hospital, "We are delighted that our president, Prince William, has given an exclusive interview with CBBC Newsround to highlight our £15 million appeal to build Europe's leading Children's and Teenage Cancer Center."
Alice and Oscar, who have both been successfully treated for cancer at Royal Marsden, joined CBBC Newsround reporter Ricky Boleto at Clarence House to meet William. As Alice conducted the charming interview Oscar was in charge of photographing the event. Capturing snaps of the interview, scenes from around and inside Clarence House and a group shot of William, Alice and the Palace pet dog, Brinnie. Later Oscar gave a behind the scenes look at the interview.
Reports Oscar, "I was feeling excited and a bit nervous when we arrived at Clarence House, where Prince William lives. We had to wait at the gates and then someone showed us into the house. The house was really nice. My favourite bits were the massive marble fireplace in the waiting room and the gold harp in the garden room, which was bigger than me!
"Before the prince came down we were shown the garden room where the TV interview would be filmed. It was really big and full of lights and cameras! Then it was time to meet the prince! I was really shocked when he came in because he looked different to how he does in the photos. His hair and face looked a bit different.
"I was really excited to meet him, it was really cool. He asked me and Alice about our cancer treatment and then we just chatted about general things. He asked what fruit we like and I was quite shocked when he said he liked marmite and banana! He said we should try it, but I don't think I will.
"While the prince and Alice sat on the sofa for the interview, I was on the sofa behind the cameras watching it all. It's the first time I've seen anything being filmed for TV. Ricky quickly filmed a piece to camera while the cameramen were getting the cameras set up with the right angles and then it was time for Alice to ask Prince William the questions.
"Alice did a really good job and the prince was friendly and very funny. When he was talking about flying the helicopters he joked about not having dented any yet!
"When Alice made a mistake at the end and said Prince Harry instead of Prince William, everyone started laughing. Prince William didn't mind and even said he was going to tell Harry. When the interview was over we all chatted a bit more and then posed for some photos with the prince.
"Afterwards, Alice filmed a quick chat with Ricky to go with the interview and I took a few more photos before it was time to pack up. It was good meeting Ricky on the Newsround team too, but I was surprised by how much equipment there was and how long it took to pack it all away!"
Before her interview with William Alice spoke about what it was like to have cancer to Ricky Boleto. "It's been really—it's been quite hard at times but, it's been easy as well since there's such a nice team here and they're so lovely and caring."
Although Alice reveled that she was feeling "nervous and excited" about interviewing William the 10 year old proved that you don't have to be a seasoned member of the royal Rat Pack to interview a prince. If anything it seemed to go in her favor! In what was arguably William's most relaxed and charming interview he answered Alice's sometimes unexpected interview questions. The following is her interview with Prince William.
Alice: "What made you get involved with the Royal Marsden?"
William: "For a very long time my mother was involved with the Royal Marsden, and she had a very close connection with them. So I wanted to sort of follow in her footsteps, in that sense, and help. And since doing that I've learnt so much about so many incredible people who have been unfortunate enough to, you know, have cancer - and most battle through it and have dealt with it in an incredibly inspirational way. Much like you are doing at the moment."
Alice: "Thank you. So when you were 9 you went to hospital for an operation. What was that for?"
William: "That was for my Harry Potter scar, as I call it, just here. [Points to forehead] I call it that because it glows sometimes and some people notice it - other times they don't notice it at all. Um, but I got hit by a golf club."
Alice: "Oh, no."
William: [Nods] "When I was playing golf with a friend of mine, yeah. We were on a putting green and the next thing you know there was a seven-iron and it came out of nowhere and it hit me in the head. [Laughs] So, yeah, I was in hospital for that, but that was very minor compared to how many times you've been into hospital."
Alice: "So if you were not a Prince what would you be?"
William: [Laughs] "That's a very good one. A long time ago I wanted to be a policeman, when I was younger. I soon learnt that probably wasn't a good idea. Um, and then I don't know. I'm pretty--um, at the moment I'm still doing some sort of helicopter flying, doing search and rescue.
Alice: "So how is your helicopter flying going?"
William: "It's going very well. My instructors would probably say, 'Not so well', but I think it's going not too badly. I haven't managed to dent any of the aircraft, I haven't flown into any trees yet, so, it's going okay."
Alice: "So if you're invisible for one day, where would you go and what would you do?"
William: "I'd probably get myself in a lot of trouble! [Laughs] Um, I think if I was invisible I'd definitely, um, where would I go? I'd probably go into the newspaper office, and I'd hide in the background and listen to all the stories they talk about me."
Alice: "Well, me and my sister always have, like, play around arm wrestles. But if you and Prince Harry, your brother, had one who do you think would win?"
William: "That's not even worth asking!"
Alice: [Laughs]
William: "You know the answer to that. It's not even a contest. Obviously I'd win. Obviously. As the bigger brother you have that psychological power over your brother, you see."
At the end of the interview William praised Alice's abilities as a reported and teased CBBC Newsround reporter Ricky Boleto that he might be out of a job. The CBBC also released Alice's little blooper when she called William by the wrong name as she began the interview.
Alice: "So tonight I'm going to be interviewing Prince Harry."
William: [Laughs] "Brilliant!"
Alice: [Laughs] "Oh, no!"
William: "Brilliant, Alice! That is a keeper."
Alice: "I'm so sorry!"
William: That is a keeper!"
Alice later spoke of the experience with Ricky Boleto.
Ricky: "So Alice, Prince William has just left the building. How was the interview?"
Alice: "It was so fun. He was so nice as well. It's all so amazing, it's surreal really."
Ricky: "I still can't believe we're here. That's their piano. How cool is that?"
Alice: "Very cool."