The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)

Princes have lightsaber duel on set of Star Wars

Royal brothers were shown around the props department of new movie

- Tony Jones

The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry could not resist the lure of the lightsaber when they met the heroes of the latest Star Wars movie – as well as the creative technician­s bringing the latest instalment to the silver screen.

William and Harry had a brief duel in the props department at Pinewood Studios in Buckingham­shire, where Star Wars: Episode VIII is currently in production.

Guided by British actress Daisy Ridley, who played Rey in last year’s The Force Awakens, the royal brothers were shown Chewbacca’s head – before getting a hug from the full-size 7ft 6in version – as well as robotic stars R2D2 and the BB8 droid from the latest instalment of the sci-fi saga.

The royal brothers both confessed to being big fans of the movies, which began in 1977 and starred Mark Hamill as the hero Luke Skywalker – who also chatted to the duke and his sibling at the end of their tour.

But when the royal brothers came across Ridley’s lightsaber, William picked it up, while Harry wielded the weapon belonging to the villainous character Kylo Ren.

The props’ effects were remotely controlled by a technician who turned on their internal glowing lights.

The Duke joked with his brother, asking “are you scared?” before their sabers clashed, following some tentative moves from both of them.

Ever the joker, Harry aimed at his brother below the waist, but the duke was too quick and stepped back.

A few moments later, the prince asked everyone in the workshop to mimic the lightsaber’s famous sound effect, before joining in as their weapons clashed.

 ?? Pictures: PA. ?? Prince Harry and the Duke of Cambridge could not resist the temptation to duel when they came across two lightsaber­s in the props department. Below: Prince Harry meets Chewbacca.
Pictures: PA. Prince Harry and the Duke of Cambridge could not resist the temptation to duel when they came across two lightsaber­s in the props department. Below: Prince Harry meets Chewbacca.
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom