High school student apologises to Prince Harry for “cuddling” Duchess Meghan
A British high school student made news around the world after he hugged the Duchess of Sussex during the royal’s visit to a school on Friday.
Now 16-year-old Aker Okoye has apologised to Prince Harry for embracing his wife.
Okoye, head boy at Robert Clack School in east London, came up on stage after Duchess Meghan invited a “brave young man” to volunteer to discuss the importance of International Women’s Day, which is celebrated on March 8.
Okoye leaned in for a kiss on the cheek before telling his classmates, “She really is beautiful, innit.”
The Duchess gave him a hug after he made his comments about the day. “Incredible confidence, don’t you all agree,” she said after Okoye left the stage.
In a written letter to the Duke of Sussex published on The Sun, Okoye said he hoped his actions weren’t out of line.
“I hope you didn’t mind me cuddling your wife,” he wrote, noting he was “just overwhelmed and shocked to see her arrive at my school”.
Okoye said it was “a pleasure to hear [Meghan’s] speech and to speak in front of her as well. She is truly inspirational”.
In an interview with Good Morning Britain, the student told host Piers Morgan: “It was one of those moments which I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”
The Duchess’ surprise visit to the school was her last solo official engagement as a senior royal before she and Harry step down on March 31.