Breaking News : Prince William Helps College Student Explain Being Late for Class in ‘Unexpected’ Moment That Has Gone Viral

William “gave the most positive vibes” and “seems like such a sweet, kind-hearted individual,” Samantha Johnson tells PEOPLE
Prince William’s latest stop at college was complete with a Gen Z-approved move

On Nov. 14, the Prince of Wales, 42, visited Ulster University during his surprise trip to Northern Ireland and made a cameo in a student’s video. Though the British royal family doesn’t have an official account on TikTok, Prince William knew just what to do when a student asked him to make a video for her professor explaining that she would be late to class.

Samantha Johnson and a group of other young people stood around William. “Yeah, just tell her why we’re late,” she said with a laugh, and panned the camera to the prince.

After double-checking the professor’s name and that the video was rolling, Prince William said, “Lesley, I’m very sorry we’re late, but they seem to be caught up, and they wouldn’t believe that you were here, so, just wanted to say hi.”

His quip made the group laugh, and Johnson wrote over the video: “POV — Prince William gives you the best excuse for being late,” when she posted it.

When reached by PEOPLE, Johnson said: “He really took a genuine interest in all of our interests and future plans. Honestly, gave the most positive vibes and seems like such a sweet, kind-hearted individual.

Even took time to tell us about his plans to help the homeless
In response to comments made on her video, Johnson said: “Best excuse ever” and “Can’t argue with a royal pardon.”

When asked if she got away with the excuse, she said: “Course I did” and that her professor “loved it.” She also shared that it was “so unexpected” and a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Prince William Helps College Student Explain Being Late for Class in ‘Unexpected’ Moment That Has Gone Viral
William “gave the most positive vibes” and “seems like such a sweet, kind-hearted individual,” Samantha Johnson tells PEOPLE

Prince William, Prince Of Wales records a video message for the friend of a student who missed his visit to Ulster University’s Belfast City Campus Centr
Prince William at Ulster University’s Belfast City Campus Centre on Nov. 14, 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Prince William’s latest stop at college was complete with a Gen Z-approved move:

On Nov. 14, the Prince of Wales, 42, visited Ulster University during his surprise trip to Northern Ireland and made a cameo in a student’s video. Though the British royal family doesn’t have Prince William knew just what to do when a student asked him to make a video for her professor explaining that she would be late to class.

In a clip viewed over 4.2 million times on TikTok, Samantha Johnson and a group of other young people stood around William. “Yeah, just tell her why we’re late,” she said with a laugh, and panned the camera to the prince.

After double-checking the professor’s name and that the video was rolling, Prince William said, “Lesley, I’m very sorry we’re late, but they seem to be caught up, and they wouldn’t believe that you were here, so, just wanted to say hi.”

His quip made the group laugh, and Johnson wrote over the video: “POV — Prince William gives you the best excuse for being late,” when she posted it.

When reached by PEOPLE, Johnson said: “He really took a genuine interest in all of our interests and future plans. Honestly, gave the most positive vibes and seems like such a sweet, kind-hearted individual. Even took time to tell us about his plans to help the homeless to spread awareness.”

In response to comments made on her video, Johnson said: “Best excuse ever” and “Can’t argue with a royal pardon.”

When asked if she got away with the excuse, she said: “Course I did” and that her professor “loved it.” She also shared that it was “so unexpected” and a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Prince William, Prince Of Wales records a video message for the friend of a student who missed his visit to Ulster University’s Belfast City Campus Centre
Prince William at Ulster University’s Belfast City Campus Centre on Nov. 14, 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Prince William Makes Surprise Trip to Northern Ireland to Highlight His Mission for the Unhoused

When a commenter observed that “interactions with royals are getting more and more unserious,” Johnson agreed, saying, “Makes them seem more real.”

Finally, she said that Prince William was “one of the nicest people I’ve met, genuinely takes care in trying to get to know you…Didn’t expect him to be so sound…He’s literally adorable.”

Prince William’s trip to Northern Ireland wasn’t announced in advance, and he traveled north to meet partners involved with his Homewards project. The heir to the throne launched the campaign through The Royal Foundation in June 2023 to help eradicate homelessness across the U.K., making it “rare, brief and unrepeated” through a five-year commitment.