Billy Porter reveals that Prince William wrote to him personally after health scare

Billy Porter has revealed that Prince William wrote to him personally after his sepsis diagnosis. 

In September, due to his sepsis diagnosis, Porter was forced to pull out of Broadway’s Cabaret, in which was set to perform the lead role of Emcee, the Master of Ceremonies at seedy Berlin-based venue, The Kit Kat Klub

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition which occurs when your immune system has an extreme reaction to an infection.

The Hunger Games actor has now revealed that while recovering from his “serious case of sepsis” he received a card from the royal LGBTQ+ ally.

Porter and Prince William met in South Africa later year, when Porter hosted the fourth edition of Prince William’s Earthshot Prize. Founded in 2020, the prize is awarded annually to five winners for their contributions towards environmentalism.

‘His kindness and his presence have no bounds’

He told Hello Magazine of receiving a card from the royal: “He heard that I was ill and he sent me a get-well card. That’s the kind of human being he is.” 

The Pose actor added: “He’s very grounded, very kind, very present to everybody around him at all times. You know, it’s a really hard job and it’s just effortless to him.

“I [felt] so humbled and blessed to host his Earthshot Prize in Cape Town. His kindness and his presence have no bounds.” 

In a statement released in September, Cabaret producer Adam Speers announced “with a heavy heart” that the team had to make the “painful decision” to close the production early due to Porter’s illness.

“On behalf of all the producers, we’re so honored to have been able to bring this version of John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Joe Masteroff’s important masterpiece, Cabaret, to New York and to have opened the doors to our own Kit Kat Club for the year and a half we have been here.

“Billy was an extraordinary Emcee, bringing his signature passion and remarkable talent,” he continued.

“We wish Billy a speedy recovery and I look forward to working with him again in the very near future.”

In September 2024, Porter spoke to PinkNews about his want to win an Oscar. “Particularly for a Black, queer man, unlike some of my white, straight counterparts, it actually does matter when I win an award. Doors that are bolted shut actually do open, it does change the landscape,” he said.

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