In a private but deeply moving investiture ceremony held at Windsor Castle on March 12, 2026, Prince William invested British actor Warwick Davis with the insignia of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), one of the highest civilian honours bestowed in the United Kingdom. The 56-year-old star, best known for his roles as Willow Ufgood in Willow (1988), the Ewok Wicket in Return of the Jedi (1983), Professor Flitwick in all eight Harry Potter films, and Nik Sant in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), received the award in recognition of his six-decade contribution to film and television and his tireless work supporting people with restricted growth and other disabilities.
The ceremony, conducted away from the usual large media scrum that accompanies Buckingham Palace investitures, was deliberately intimate—only immediate family members, a small number of close friends, and a handful of palace officials were present. Warwick arrived at the castle’s Grand Corridor shortly before 11 a.m., accompanied by his wife Samantha and their two children, Lloyd and Annabelle. He was dressed in a classic black morning suit with a subtle purple tie, a quiet nod to the colours most associated with his Harry Potter character.
Prince William, wearing the dark-blue uniform of the Blues and Royals regiment, greeted Warwick with a warm handshake and a smile that witnesses later described as “genuinely affectionate.” The two men spoke quietly for several minutes before the formal proceedings began. According to those in the room, William began by thanking Warwick for “bringing so much joy to so many generations through your work” and then specifically mentioned the actor’s advocacy. “Your voice for people who are so often overlooked has made a real difference,” the Prince reportedly said. Warwick, visibly moved, replied simply, “It’s all I ever wanted to do—make people smile and make sure no one feels invisible.”
The investiture itself followed the traditional format. William pinned the crimson OBE badge to Warwick’s left lapel, then stepped back and offered a second, firmer handshake. Photographs taken by the palace photographer show the Prince leaning slightly forward, speaking directly into Warwick’s ear for a few seconds. Multiple guests later confirmed that William whispered, “Mum would have loved to see this—she was a huge fan of yours.” The reference to Princess Diana, who met Warwick during a 1988 charity event for children with restricted growth, brought tears to the actor’s eyes. Warwick has spoken publicly in the past about how Diana personally thanked him for the joy his performances brought her sons William and Harry during difficult times.
After the badge was affixed, William invited Warwick to say a few words. The actor kept his remarks short but powerful. “I’ve spent my life pretending to be other people,” he began, voice steady despite obvious emotion. “Today I stand here as myself—someone who was told he’d never amount to much because of his height, and who somehow got to live a thousand different lives on screen and help a few people along the way. This honour belongs to my family, to the actors and crews I’ve worked with, and most of all to the little boy who once thought doors were closed to him forever. Thank you for opening them wider.”
The Prince responded with a smile and a quiet “Well said.” He then gestured toward Samantha and the children, inviting them forward for photographs. In one of the most widely shared images from the day, William crouches slightly so he is at eye level with Annabelle, then gently shakes Lloyd’s hand while Warwick stands proudly beside them, OBE gleaming on his jacket.
After the formalities concluded, the group moved to the castle’s Oak Room for a brief private reception. It was here that Catherine, Princess of Wales—who had not been listed on the day’s schedule—made a surprise appearance. Catherine, dressed in a soft dove-grey coat and dress, entered through a side door and walked straight to Warwick. She embraced him warmly, kissed him on both cheeks, and spoke quietly with him and Samantha for several minutes. Witnesses say she handed Warwick a small, wrapped gift—later revealed to be a custom-bound copy of The Lord of the Rings signed by several surviving members of the original Harry Potter cast, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. The book also contained a handwritten note from Catherine herself, which Warwick described afterward as “too personal and kind to share publicly, but it meant the world.”
The Princess stayed for roughly twenty minutes, chatting with the family and posing for a few informal photographs. Her presence—unannounced and unpublicised until after the event—added an extra layer of warmth to an already emotional morning. Royal observers noted that Catherine’s decision to attend reflected both her long-standing admiration for Warwick’s charity work and her close friendship with Samantha, whom she has met several times through disability-inclusion initiatives.
Warwick later spoke briefly to waiting reporters outside the castle gates. “I still can’t quite believe it,” he said, touching the OBE badge. “I’ve been very lucky in my career, but this is different. This is recognition for trying to do some good off-screen as well. And having Prince William pin it on, and then Catherine turning up with that gift… I’m overwhelmed. I just wish my parents and my grandparents could have seen it.”
The news spread rapidly across social media and entertainment outlets. Fans of Star Wars, Harry Potter, Willow, and Warwick’s many other credits—from The Chronicles of Narnia to Life’s Too Short—shared the Windsor Castle photos with captions expressing pride and affection. The clip of William’s whispered reference to Princess Diana quickly went viral, viewed as a tender bridge between the late princess’s compassion and her elder son’s continued commitment to the same causes.
For Warwick Davis, the OBE ceremony represents the latest chapter in a remarkable life. Born with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare form of dwarfism, he was cast in Return of the Jedi at age 11 and never stopped working. His production company, Willow Films, has championed actors with disabilities, and his charity Little People UK provides support and advocacy for individuals and families affected by restricted growth conditions.
As he left Windsor Castle wearing his new honour and carrying the signed book from Catherine, Warwick paused one last time for photographers. Smiling broadly beneath the famous hat he often wears on red carpets, he looked every bit the man who had spent a lifetime proving that size has nothing to do with stature. For Prince William, the investiture was another quiet act of service; for the thousands who grew up watching Warwick on screen, it was a reminder that heroes—on film and in real life—come in all shapes, and sometimes the most powerful stories are the ones told without a script.
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