Prince Harry once felt the weight of royal protocol during a rare public outing at the World Darts Championship in 2014, according to sports promoter Barry Hearn. The Duke of Sussex, known for his love of sports like polo and rugby, surprised fans when he attended the event at London’s Alexandra Palace.
On “The Barry Hearn Show,” Hearn recounted how the crowd began chanting Harry’s name, hoping for a friendly wave. “He’d just come out of the army and was enjoying a night out with three of his mates,” Hearn said. “At one point, the crowd started chanting, ‘Harry, Harry, give us a wave.’ He looked at me, unsure of what to do.”
Hearn encouraged the prince to engage with the fans. “I told him, ‘If you stand up now and wave back, your street credibility is assured for life because you’ve connected with the everyday people of this country,'” he recalled. However, Harry felt restricted. “He looked at me and said, ‘I don’t think I’m allowed to.’ I thought that was quite sad,” Hearn shared.
Hearn also mentioned in his autobiography a memorable night out where Prince Harry and his friends invited him and his son, Eddie Hearn, to continue the festivities after the event. The sports promoter reflected on the prince’s desire to blend in with the crowd while still adhering to royal expectations.
Since stepping back from royal duties, Prince Harry now resides in Montecito, California, with his wife Meghan Markle. This anecdote sheds light on the challenges he faced balancing his royal responsibilities with his personal desire for normalcy.
