Prince William thanks South Shields TV translator in sign language at MBE investiture

A TV translator has been presented with an MBE for his services to deaf people – with Prince William thanking him in sign language.
By Sarah Sinclair
Published 14th Jan 2020, 16:20 BST
Updated 15th Jan 2020, 10:00 BST
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Alex Duguid, from South Shields, picked up the accolade for services to deaf people and British Sign Language education, having spent the last three decades helping communications for deaf people.

Over the years he has been a regular face on ITV through his job with ITV Signpost, translating popular programmes such as Emmerdale and Coronation Street into British Sign Language (BSL) so that the hearing-impaired can enjoy them.

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On his first day back on royal duty since crisis talks over the future of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex Prince William congratulated Alex using sign language.

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Sign language translator Alex Duguid is awarded an MBE for services to deaf people and to British sign language education by the Duke of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace. Photo Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA WireSign language translator Alex Duguid is awarded an MBE for services to deaf people and to British sign language education by the Duke of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace. Photo Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
Sign language translator Alex Duguid is awarded an MBE for services to deaf people and to British sign language education by the Duke of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace. Photo Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

In a video posted on the Kensington Royal Twitter account, the Prince William was seen spelling "Congratulations Alex" using BSL, before Alex replied saying "thank you" and sticking his thumbs up.

A previous Best of South Tyneside award winner Alex, who lost his hearing at the age of four after an accident, was presented with the Outstanding Achievement accolade at the Royal Television Society (RTS) North East & Border Awards in 2016.

William awarded accolades to a number of public figures at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, his first public engagement since Harry and Meghan announced their intention to step back as senior royals.

They included former England cricket captain Sir Andrew Strauss, who picked up a knighthood, and FA vice-chairman David Gill, who collected a CBE for services to football.

Related topics:Prince WilliamMBESouth Shields