Barry Hearn, the former chairman of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), has shared a poignant memory involving Prince Harry, describing a moment at the 2014 World Darts Championship that left him feeling sorry for the royal.
The Duke of Sussex, a well-known sports enthusiast, attended the event at London's Alexandra Palace with three friends shortly after leaving the army. Hearn recalled the evening on his show, The Barry Hearn Show, noting the crowd's enthusiastic reaction to spotting the Prince.
The Awkward Chant
Hearn described how the atmosphere became electric when the audience began chanting 'Harry, Harry, give us a wave'. However, the moment turned awkward as Prince Harry looked to Hearn for guidance, seemingly unsure how to respond.
"I saw a bit of inquisitiveness in his face – as if to say, 'what do I do?'" Hearn explained. He advised the Prince that waving back would secure his "street credibility for life" by identifying with everyday people.
The royal's response was telling. "He looked at me and said, 'I don't think I'm allowed to'", Hearn revealed, adding, "I thought that was quite sad."
A Night of 60 Pints and a Club Invitation
Despite the restrictions, Hearn painted a picture of a Prince enjoying a proper night out. He claimed Harry and his entourage were "on a bender" and estimated they consumed a remarkable 60 pints of lager throughout the evening, blending in well with the crowd.
The night didn't end at Alexandra Palace. Hearn recounted that Prince Harry invited both him and his son, the prominent sports promoter Eddie Hearn, to continue the festivities at a nightclub. "You guys are too dangerous," was Hearn's jovial refusal to the offer.
This anecdote is also featured in Hearn's autobiography, cementing the 2014 darts championship as a memorable chapter in the sport's history and in the public perception of the young royal.
The Man Who Transformed Darts
Barry Hearn's influence on darts cannot be overstated. He became chairman of the PDC in 2001 and was instrumental in transforming it into the sport's premier governing body. Under his leadership, darts experienced an unprecedented surge in popularity and financial success across the UK.
After nearly four decades at the helm of Matchroom Sport, Hearn stepped down as chairman in 2021, passing the responsibility to his son, Eddie, ensuring the family legacy continues to shape the world of sports promotion.
