For many men of a certain age, dancing in public is a concept fraught with peril. The safest approach? Dance like nobody’s watching, which practically translates to dancing only when literally nobody is watching. Think closed doors, drawn curtains, and maybe even a webcam cover for good measure. The aspiration might be to dance as freely as if you were naked, but certain locations, like showers or saunas, are still emphatically off-limits for public displays of dad dancing.
Unfortunately for Prince William, heir to the British throne, privacy wasn’t on the menu at Wembley Stadium. He was not only spotted but also filmed enthusiastically dancing to Taylor Swift on his 42nd birthday. Clad in a blue blazer and positioned high in a hospitality suite, the Prince’s moves were on full display. One might assume that such premium seating would include some form of privacy screen, but the footage proves otherwise.
If you’re looking to guide the middle-aged dad in your life towards embracing his inner dancer – even publicly – the strategy is straightforward: act like you saw nothing. Resist the urge to critique his arm movements or questionable rhythm. Absolutely no phone filming. And, crucially, avoid any breakfast-table impressions the following morning. However, experience suggests this advice is universally ignored.
In fairness to the Prince of Wales, he navigated the situation reasonably well. The video clip was thankfully brief, his dancing was exuberantly goofy, and the overall commentary leaned towards affectionate amusement. The key to successful dad-dancing in the public eye is a subtle self-awareness: dance as if everyone is watching, and lean into the inherent comedy of it. The pitfall, however, is to lose that self-awareness and become earnestly uncool.
My own public dancing recollections are hazy, likely involving significant alcohol consumption. More vividly, I remember actively not dancing at an Abba Voyage performance – the show featuring remarkably realistic Abba avatars delivering hit after timeless hit. Despite enjoying the spectacle immensely, I remained resolutely static. Perhaps a slight head nod, not rhythmically aligned with the music, but more a gesture of approval, thinking, “good job, everyone.”
It’s not a matter of physical inability. In my youth, entrepreneurial dance instructors convinced parents that ballroom dancing was essential for their children’s future success. Consequently, my entire school year was enrolled in lessons. I am proficient in the waltz, foxtrot, cha-cha, and the Latin hustle. But as life progresses, one gravitates towards innate strengths, and mine lies in stillness. Could I have resisted dancing if Taylor Swift launched into “Shake It Off” live at Wembley? I’d like to believe so.
[Prince of Wales thanks Taylor Swift for ‘great evening’ at London show
Read more](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jun/22/prince-of-wales-thanks-taylor-swift-for-great-evening-at-london-show)
If this paints me as joyless, I can accept that. Public displays of almost any kind make me self-conscious and uneasy. Why would dancing be an exception?
That being said, I do have my moments of uninhibited expression, even now. I can sing with abandon, not caring about vocal quality or audience judgment. And occasionally, I cook with a similar disregard for consequences. If the meal isn’t to your liking, order takeout and let me enjoy my culinary parade.
- Tim Dowling is a Guardian columnist.
