IMAGINE LOOKING LIKE A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY THAT YOU CANT GO ANYWHERE WITHOUTPEOPLE POINTING AND STARING. MARC RATIGGAN, 15, FROM MARTGATE TELLS US WHAT ITS LKE TO BE PRINCE WILLIAM'S DOUBLEThe first time anyone mentioned the likeness between me and Prince William was when I was 9 years old. I remember my Uncle Martin staring at me intensely for a while, before calling my mum into the room.
"Have you noticed how much Marc looks like Prince William?" he asked. I ignored him and carried on watching the TV. At that age, I didn't even know who William was. I certainly didn't have any idea he'd play such a big part in my life.
It wasn't until Princess Diana died last August 1997 and William was thrust in the public eye that everyone started commenting on the likeness between us.
At school, I became "the one that looks like Prince William". My nickname was "Wills"! I didn't take it seriously, though. It was a laugh until my mum sent some pictures to a lookalike agency. The very next day, I had a phone call.
"Marc, this is the Susan Scott Lookalike agency," the voice said. I listened in disbelief as the agency told me they never seen such a marked resemblance, and they wanted to put me in their books straightway. I put the phone down and walked slowly into the lounge.
"I'm being signed to the agency as Prince Williams lookalike!" I told Mum and Dad. Shouting with excitement, they jumped up and hugged me . But none of was were prepared for just how much my life would change.A NIGHT AT A ROYAL RUMPUS
A week later, Channel 4 invited me to London to be on a lookalike programme. The moment I stepped off the train, people started staring.
"Look, that's Prince William, isn't it?" someone said. Embarassed, I scuttled away. But by now, everyone was watching and pointing at me. The attention was so unnerving that I jumped in the nearest cab. I couldnt bear sitting in the tube (subway) with everyone whispering about me From the day the programme went on I was hot property. The phone didn't stop ringing. Then the Daily Mail took me to Buckingham Palace to see the crowd's reaction. It was mad! Within 30 seconds people were pointing in my direction and taking photographs. A girl approached me shyly. "Can I have your autograph?" she asked politely. Dazed, I signed her book as William. To my amazement, she burst into tears.
"You've just made my dreams come true!" she sobbed. I did feel guilty about leading her on. But it can't be wrong to make someone happy can it? After all her chance of meeting Prince William aren't exactly high.BUCKINGHAM PALACE AND THE BODYGUARDS
The next time I went to London was with a German TV company. They drove me around a 185,000 pound Mercedes, with a chauffeur and two bodyguards who had looked after the real Prince William. They gave me instructions as we drove towards Buckingham Palace. For the first time, I had a glimpse of what the real Prince's life must be like.
"Never open doors, stand behind the bodyguards in a crowd and if you're uncomfortable with anything that you're doing, tell us," they told me sternly.
As I got out of the car, the crowd surged forward, roughly pulling at my clothes. It was terrifying. I thought I was going to fall over I was shaking so much . One mother pushed her daughter towards me and they both curtsied. I was so shocked I didn't know what to do. Suddenly, some policemen ran towards us shouting "Stop! You cannot film the Prince!"
I stared at hem in disbelief. Even they didn't realise I was a fake .
Later that day, I walked past ST. James palace and the guards saluted me. Dad stopped in his tracks and stared at me.
"My God!" he exclaimed. "you've just been honoured!"BUMPING INTO LEO
In August, I wen tot he Armageddon premiere in Leischester Center as Prince William. Nervously, I stepped out of the limousine.
For a split second, nothing happened, the flashlights started going off. The paparazzi started chanting, "William! Over here!" The flashes from the bank of cameras were blinding. In a panic, I stumbled into someone.
"Sorry Sir!" Smiled the figure. He turned around smiling apologetically. It was Leonardo DiCaprio!
"That's alright" I stuttered as I watched him walk away.WILLS FOREVER
I don't know how the real prince William copes with all the attention. I can't even nip into McDonald's without being hassled by frenzied fans and I've even been asked to sign autographs in public toilets.
Some of my sister's friends even carry pictures of me in their purses.
It's got so bad that the Metropolitan Police urged me to take bodyguards with me whenever I go to London, for my own safety.
One thing it's done, though, is to make me feel sorry for William. At
least I can go home to Martgate where everyone knows me and leave me alone.
He can't even mourn for the loss of his mother in private. People hand me Diana memorabilia all the time. I think it's terrible that people won't leave him alone to grieve in peace.
I've absolutely loved the experience of being Prince William's lookalike and I'll carry on doing it for as long as I can.
But I wouldn't swap places with the real Prince William for anything!Source: SUGAR magazine
January Issue (1999)Thanks to wowdreamer who is sweet enough to send me this article.