Last Christmas, a moment of mistaken identity at a royal event captured the nation's imagination and sparked a social media frenzy. Viewers of the trailer for Princess Catherine's annual Christmas carol service were convinced they had spotted Prince Harry among the congregation, only to discover the man in question was a remarkable lookalike.
The Doppelganger Who Baffled Royal Fans
The festive confusion unfolded when the television trailer for Princess Catherine's Together At Christmas carol service aired. Eagle-eyed royal fans were quick to note a cheerful man with light, gingery stubble and a military uniform, whose bearing and smile bore an uncanny resemblance to the Duke of Sussex. Social media lit up with speculation that Prince Harry had made a surprise return to the UK for the event at Westminster Abbey.
However, the mystery was swiftly solved. The man was identified as Sergeant Chris Dykes, a 38-year-old reservist in the Royal Air Force. At the time of the service, the real Prince Harry was over 5,000 miles away in California with Meghan Markle and their children. Chris, a member of the 622 Volunteer Gliding Squadron based in Wiltshire, had been invited to represent his squadron at the prestigious event.
Life After the Viral Spotlight
One year on, Chris Dykes has reflected on his unexpected brush with fame in an interview. He revealed that while the 'Harry jokes have slowly died out' and the buzz is 'wearing off', his squadron colleagues still occasionally call him 'Sgt Harry' or 'Sgt Windsor'.
'Unfortunately, I still don't see the resemblance,' Chris laughed, speaking to the Daily Mail. 'I think it was more a case of mistaken ginger identity, with the stubble going on and it simply being at a royal event in uniform.'
Chris, who works transporting luxury cars and lives in Monmouth, south Wales, described waking up on Christmas Eve to find himself 'all over the news' as a 'bit of a shock'. He is now looking forward to a quieter festive season after his brief period in the limelight. Although he won't be attending this year's service, he plans to watch the broadcast, stating it had 'a majestic sense of what the Christmas spirit is about'.
A Star-Studded Service Returns
This year, Princess Catherine's carol concert promises another glittering line-up as it returns to celebrate the 'power of love and togetherness'. The event, spearheaded by the Princess and supported by The Royal Foundation, will feature readings by actress Kate Winslet and a musical performance by Hannah Waddingham and Bastille's Dan Smith. Even the wreaths will have a touch of star power, crafted by Dame Mary Berry.
Kensington Palace stated the service aims to 'bring people together to celebrate love in all its forms' and will honour individuals from across the UK who have dedicated time to their communities. Prince William is set to give a reading, and the couple are expected to be joined by their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
The special programme, Royal Carols: Together At Christmas, will be broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve, with a repeat on Christmas Day morning. As for Sergeant Chris Dykes, he will be watching from home, perhaps with a wry smile, wondering if another unsuspecting guest will cause a similar stir this festive season.
