A royal photographer once learned the hard way that Prince Harry did not appreciate having his jokes shared with the world. The Harry bald prank happened during a 2015 royal visit to New Zealand, when the Duke of Sussex got playful revenge on Arthur Edwards.
Here’s how Prince Harry responded to a royal photographer calling him bald
Edwards spent five decades photographing the royal family. He recalled the amusing encounter in his new memoir, Cup of Tea, Arthur? My Extraordinary 50 Years Photographing the Royal Family, published on November 5. The photographer also shared memories of accompanying Harry on several overseas engagements.
According to Express UK, one earlier trip took Edwards to Colorado Springs for the Warrior Games. Harry spent time with wounded, injured and sick British service personnel competing against American teams. He even joined a sitting volleyball game. That experience later helped inspire the creation of the Invictus Games, which supports wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans through sport. Readers can learn more about the initiative on the official Invictus Games Foundation website.
However, another overseas engagement gave Harry an opportunity to settle a personal score with Edwards. During a 2015 visit to a youth development centre in Māngere, near Auckland Airport, Harry joined children for a hand-painting activity. He then walked towards Edwards and pressed his paint-covered palm against the photographer’s bald head.
The children burst into laughter as a large purple handprint appeared. Harry reportedly exclaimed, “Got you!” When Edwards later asked why he had done it, Harry explained that the photographer had repeated a private joke on television. During a walkabout in Whanganui the previous day, a woman had told Harry, “You look just like your father.” The prince replied, “I’m going bald like my father.”
Edwards shared the exchange with television viewers. However, Harry had not intended the comment for a wider audience. “That’s what I told the lady but I didn’t want to tell the whole world!” Harry reportedly said. Edwards replied, “Welcome to the club.” Harry then affectionately rubbed his head before joking, “It’s going to happen, I won’t be far behind you.” The photographer said he appreciated how comfortable Harry felt around him. The Harry bald prank offered a glimpse into their relaxed working relationship.
