In the penultimate season of The Crown, Dominic West, the actor who embodies Prince Charles (in the show), is seen trying to breakdance at an event for the Prince’s Trust in 1985. It leaves viewers to question whether the scene is fact or fiction, especially as this season has faced harsh criticism for its over-dramatization of certain events. So, did the then-Prince of Wales try to breakdance?
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King Charles once tried to breakdance
Despite the criticism season five of The Crown is facing, this event actually did happen. A 37-year-old Prince Charles, now King Charles after the Queen's death, attempted to breakdance after being coaxed onto the dancefloor by some discothèque goers.
The scene happened at Middleton-on-Sea in West Sussex back in 1985 while the then-Prince Charles was attending an event organised by his Prince’s Trust. Unfazed by the challenge, the then heir to the throne gave it all he had, with astounding swagger and confidence.
His attempt at dancing delighted the crowd at the discothèque. However, the final result may not be as polished and convincing as the then-Prince might have hoped. Despite his best efforts, King Charles’s rendition of breakdancing looked more like very awkward dad-dancing.
The Crown recreated the scene
Dominic West, the actor who portrays Prince Charles in season five, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and delighted viewers by recreating the epic scene.
Mr West told the TV show host:
Charles is quite proud of his dancing.
The actor admitted he had trouble recreating the King’s dance style, stating:
The difficulty is there's no rhythm; there’s no, it's completely arhythmic.
He then complimented the King in a rather backwards manner just before showing off his own dance moves:
It's much harder to dance out of time.. he (Prince Charles) does it brilliantly.
Jimmy Kimmel applauded King Charles as a ‘good sport’ for attempting to dance in the first place.
Read more:
⋙ King Charles’ favourite royal house that’ll undergo £45m restoration
Sources used:
Woman & Home: Did Prince Charles actually breakdance?
Mail Online: Dominic West recreates Prince Charles' iconic breakdance on Jimmy Kimmel as he hits back at criticism from fans that he's 'too handsome' to play him in The Crown