“What Do We Do With Our Hands?”: Sally Nugent Reveals Hilariously Awkward Moment Posing With Prince William

Even an experienced BBC presenter can find herself at a loss for words around royalty. Sally Nugent has admitted she felt unexpectedly awkward when it came to posing for a photograph with Prince William, revealing a funny behind-the-scenes moment that left her laughing at herself.

The BBC Breakfast presenter had just finished a long-awaited interview with the Prince of Wales for Thank You Sir Kev, a special BBC documentary celebrating Sir Kevin Sinfield and his extraordinary fundraising efforts for motor neurone disease (MND) charities.

But while their conversation centred on Sinfield’s achievements and his enduring friendship with the late rugby league star Rob Burrow, it was the seemingly simple task of taking a photograph afterwards that caught Nugent off guard.

Sally Nugent’s Royal Photo Dilemma

Speaking to her BBC Breakfast co-host, Nugent explained that interviews usually end on a relaxed note, with presenters and their guests gathering for a photograph. Meeting the future King, however, left her wondering how to handle the moment without accidentally crossing an invisible royal etiquette line.

As the photograph appeared on screen, she laughed at her own pose.

“Look, look! Look at me with my awkward hands!” she exclaimed.

Nugent then explained that she had asked William a question many people might recognise from an unexpectedly formal social situation: what exactly were they supposed to do with their hands?

“I said to him, ‘What are we gonna do with our hands?’, and he said, ‘Well, I’m going to do this’,” she recalled.

Deciding that copying the Prince was probably the safest option, she followed his lead. But she could not resist joking about the awkwardness of the situation.

“So I thought, well I’ll just do the same… you can’t put your arms around the Prince of Wales, can you?!”

The exchange offered a lighthearted glimpse behind the scenes of an interview that had taken years to arrange. Nugent also shared the photograph on Instagram, where viewers responded warmly to the encounter.

Some commenters expressed amazement at the opportunity to see the Prince of Wales in such a setting, while others praised Nugent and her work on the programme.

For the presenter, the moment was a reminder that even after years in television, an encounter with royalty can leave you briefly unsure of what to do next.

Prince William Explains Why Sir Kevin Sinfield Deserved His Knighthood

Away from the amusing photo moment, Nugent’s interview explored a much more moving subject: Sir Kevin Sinfield’s extraordinary commitment to supporting people affected by motor neurone disease.

Sinfield, the former rugby league star, has undertaken gruelling endurance challenges to raise money for MND charities following the death of his close friend and former teammate Rob Burrow, who died from the disease in 2024.

His efforts have earned widespread admiration, including from William, who made no secret of his belief that Sinfield’s knighthood was richly deserved.

“I think frankly he should have been Sir Kevin years ago,” the Prince said. “Giving Sir Kevin Sinfield a knighthood was probably one of the easiest decisions anyone’s ever had to make.”

William also marvelled at Sinfield’s ability to keep pushing himself physically, particularly after completing seven ultra-marathons in seven days as part of his fundraising efforts.

“I don’t know how he keeps going, I’m worried about his knees, I’m worried about his hips! The guy is just a machine,” he said.

Yet the Prince’s admiration extended well beyond Sinfield’s physical endurance. He also highlighted the former rugby player’s character, particularly his humility and his ability to lead without seeking attention.

“He’s a top bloke, really nice guy, good, honest, kind, decent northerner and I love that about Kevin, that there is no ego with him. He is what you get.”

It was a clear endorsement of the qualities that have helped Sinfield earn the respect of people far beyond the rugby league community.

His fundraising work has also kept attention focused on the challenges faced by people living with MND and the families who support them, giving a deeply personal friendship a wider purpose.

A Documentary Celebrating Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow’s Legacy

The interview forms part of Thank You Sir Kev, a BBC documentary reflecting on Sinfield’s remarkable fundraising campaigns and his bond with Burrow.

Their friendship became a central part of Sinfield’s efforts to raise money for MND charities, with his endurance challenges demonstrating the extraordinary lengths he was willing to go to in support of the cause.

By speaking to William, Nugent brought another perspective to Sinfield’s story, exploring not only his sporting achievements and fundraising but also the leadership and personal qualities that have made such a lasting impression.

The Prince’s comments offered a particularly personal tribute, describing Sinfield as someone whose kindness, honesty and lack of ego set him apart.

For Nugent, the assignment also delivered a memorable encounter of her own. While the interview itself focused on a cause carrying profound emotional significance, her story about the post-interview photograph provided a lighter moment—and a reminder that even a meeting with the future King can come with an unexpectedly awkward question.

Thank You Sir Kev airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.