Royal photographer Arthur Edwards MBE has revealed that Prince Harry pressed a paint-covered palm onto his bald head as revenge for a television remark about the Duke's hair loss.
Edwards, who has spent five decades photographing the Royal Family, described the incident in his book Cup of Tea, Arthur? My Extraordinary 50 Years Photographing the Royal Family, recounting how Harry settled a personal grudge during an overseas trip in 2015.
Prank at a youth development centre
While visiting a youth development centre in Māngere, near Auckland Airport, Harry joined a group of youngsters taking part in a hand-painting activity. Edwards recalled how the prince crossed the room and pressed his paint-covered palm onto the photographer's head, leaving a large purple handprint as the youngsters laughed.
"Got you!" Harry declared. After cleaning off the paint, Edwards asked the prince what had prompted the surprise move. "What did you do that for, Harry?" he enquired.
Harry clarified: "Because you went on television this morning and told everybody I was going bald."
Origins of the bald remark
Edwards pointed out that he had merely repeated something the prince himself had mentioned to a woman during a walkabout in Whanganui the day before. The woman had remarked to Harry: "You look just like your father." The prince had replied: "I'm going bald like my father."
Harry then explained why he had been displeased with the photographer relaying the conversation to television audiences. "That's what I told the lady but I didn't want to tell the whole world!" he said.
Edwards countered with a playful comment about their shared situation, telling Harry: "Welcome to the club." The photographer recounted that Harry then affectionately rubbed his head before adding: "It's going to happen, I won't be far behind you."
Earlier overseas trips
Edwards wrote that he valued the fact Harry felt at ease enough in his presence to pull the prank, despite the awkward situation. "It was nice he felt so relaxed with me to be able to do that," he wrote.
The story emerges as Harry has recently discussed publicly the importance of safeguarding children online during an engagement at the European Parliament in Brussels this week. The Duke gave a solo keynote speech after Meghan withdrew from appearing alongside him, despite being present at the event herself. Addressing the issue as a parent, Harry told those gathered: "Don't put anything in front of our children that you wouldn't put in front of your own children."
Cup of Tea, Arthur? My Extraordinary 50 Years Photographing the Royal Family by Arthur Edwards (£25, HarperCollins) was published on November 5.
