Barry Hearn, former chairman of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), has revealed that Prince Harry was told he was not permitted to wave back at fans during a darts match at Alexandra Palace in 2014. Hearn shared the anecdote on his podcast, 'The Barry Hearn Show', expressing sympathy for the Duke of Sussex.
According to Hearn, the crowd began chanting Harry's name and urging him to wave. When Hearn advised him to stand and wave to secure his 'street credibility', Harry replied, 'I don't think I'm allowed to'. Hearn described the moment as 'quite sad'.
In his autobiography, Hearn wrote that Harry and his three mates consumed an estimated 60 pints of lager that evening. He recalled that the Prince was 'like any ordinary bloke on a night out' and later invited Hearn and his son Eddie to an afterparty, which they declined, calling the group 'too dangerous'.
Hearn, who led the PDC from 2001, oversaw a surge in darts' popularity and financial success. He stepped down as chairman of Matchroom Sport in 2021, handing over to his son Eddie.
