The cheeky lad who broke royal protocol when he hugged Meghan Markle during a visit to his school has written a letter to Prince Harry, apologising for hugging his wife.
Aker Okoye, 16, claimed in the note that he was 'overwhelmed and shocked' to see the Duchess of Sussex and share the stage with her.
According to The Sun, Okoye wrote: "Dear Harry and Meghan. Harry, hope you don't mind me writing this letter.
Advert
"I hope you didn't mind me cuddling your wife. I was just overwhelmed and shocked to see her arrive at my school.
"It was a pleasure to hear her speech and to speak in front of her as well. She is truly inspirational.
"I nearly met you [Harry] last year when you came to east London to open the future youth zone but I was away with the school. I hope to meet you one day.
"Good luck for the future, with kind regards."
The Duchess was at the school - Robert Clack Upper School in Dagenham, east London - on Friday (6 March) ahead of International Women's Day.
Advert
After asking for a 'brave young man' to come up on stage, Okoye took the opportunity and went way over the usual royal greeting of a bow, curtsy or deferential knee drop and steamed in for a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
The Duchess returned the hug with gusto, leaving Okoye to buzz off his own good luck. Meghan and husband Harry have become known for being more progressive and modern than most Royals, often disregarding protocol for a more human approach.
After the applause died down, Okoye cheekily said: "She really is beautiful, innit. I had to speak the truth there."
Okoye was quick to remind people about the importance of International Women's Day, saying: "International Women's Day is a reminder to everyone that women can do it all and do do it all.
Advert
"This is more of a message to all you guys. Maybe this Sunday could be the one day we don't look at women as objects."
The visit had been kept under wraps from the pupils. After one of her many standing ovations, Meghan told them: "I thought that you knew I was coming, so I'm sorry for the surprise.
"It is such an honour for me to be here today. When we thought about what I wanted to do for International Women's Day this year, for me it was incredibly important to be with the women of our future.
"And that is all of you young women here, as well as you young men who play a very large part in this. I think specifically coming to your school made a lot of sense for me because of this social justice and the impact that it's rooted in."
Topics: UK Community, Community, UK, Meghan Markle, UK News, Prince Harry, Royals, Meghan Markle