If you saw the guy in the feathered three-corner hat looking all official and appearing to be a royal town crier for the birth of the new heir to the British throne and thought he was part of the announcement party -- you would be wrong.
Tony Appleton, a town crier, announces the birth of the royal baby outside St. Mary's Hospital exclusive Lindo Wing in London, Monday, July 22, 2013. (AP)
Tony Appleton, 76, might have made a proclamation outside St. Mary’s Hospital in London on Monday regarding the birth of a boy to Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, but it was not an official announcement.
"I was not invited, I just crashed the party," Appleton told Yahoo! News. "I got out of my cab and I stood in front of the steps, because I didn't think I would be allowed on them, and did my bit. It was great."
Appleton also didn't necessarily expect the attention he received afterward.
"I can't believe it, I've opened up the newspapers and my face is all over them," the man from Essex said.
Here was Appleton's announcement:
On this day, the 22nd of July, the year 2013, we welcome with honorable duty a future king.The first born of the Royal Highness, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The third in line to the throne.
Our new prince is the third great-grandchild of Her Majesty the Queen and the first grandchild of the royal highness the Prince of Wales.
May he be long lived, happy and glorious and one day to reign over us.
God save the Queen.
Watch his now viral announcement complete with bell clanging:
Appleton wasn't trying to dupe people into thinking his was an official royal announcement. Like many who gathered outside Buckingham Palace and the hospital, he is just a fan of the royal family.
"I love the royal family, I love them to bits," he told Yahoo!, explaining that his fascination with them began when he met the Queen Mother when he was a boy. After Will and Kate wed in 2011, he waited for hours outside the palace to see them.
Appleton is a town crier for hire as well, his website stating he was trained under a "royal toastmaster" and has a "voice as reliable and resounding as Big Ben." He is also a fellow of the Guild of International Professional Toastmasters (a toastmaster seems to be similar to what an emcee -- master of ceremonies -- is in the United States).
Watch Appleton's showreel showing his professional experience:
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(H/T: International Business Times)
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