Billy Porter Reveals Prince William's Surprise Gesture that Reflected 'the Kind of Human Being He Is'

Billy Porter is opening up about Prince William's under-the-radar gesture when he was sick.

On Nov. 26, the celebrated actor told Hello! magazine that the Prince of Wales, 43, sent him a card when he had sepsis. 

"He heard that I was ill, and he sent me a get-well card," Porter, 65, told the outlet. "That's the kind of human being he is."

According to the Cleveland Clinic, sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body has an extreme reaction to an infection. In September, Porter was forced to withdraw from his starring role in Cabaret on Broadway after he was diagnosed with "a serious case" of the condition.

The Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning actor linked up with William in November 2024 when he cohosted the fourth edition of the royal's Earthshot Prize Awards in Cape Town, South Africa. 

Prince William launched the Earthshot Prize in 2020 as a prestigious international contest to help accelerate solutions to the world's most urgent environmental challenges over the next decade, and Porter helmed the glamorous prize night alongside South African television presenter Bonang Matheba last year.

The star of the new movie Christmas Karma also spent time with William the following day at Kalk Bay Harbor, where they shared a traditional South African barbecue, known as a "braai," with Heidi Klum, Winnie Harlow and Tobe Nwigwe.

When asked about whether William is "hidebound" (or rigid) because he is royal, Porter described the prince as a kind and present person.

"He's very grounded, very kind, very present to everybody around him at all times. You know, it's a really hard job, and it's just effortless to him," Porter said.

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"I [felt] so humbled and blessed to host his Earthshot Prize… in Cape Town. His kindness and his presence have no bounds," he added.