Darts boss Barry Hearn has admitted he felt sorry for Prince Harry when the Duke of Sussex attended the World Darts Championship back in 2011.
The 40-year-old was still serving in the military that year but decided to attend the competition, which was eventually won by Adrian Lewis.
Hearn, speaking on The Barry Hearn Show, recalled meeting Harry.
He claims the father-of-two brought some friends along who were ‘great fun’. However, there was an awkward moment when Harry’s face appeared on the big screen.
Darts boss Barry Hearn has admitted he felt sorry for Prince Harry when the Duke of Sussex attended the World Darts Championship back in 2011
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Darts fans in attendance wanted Harry to give them a wave but the Duke of Sussex was unsure what to do.
And while Hearn suggested that he grant spectators their wish, the 76-year-old has admitted it was an awkward moment for the former working royal.
“I remember sitting there years ago with Prince Harry and he’d just come out of the army he was obviously on a bit of a bender I think,” he said on his podcast.
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“At one stage the crowd started chanting because – the rules were quite strict – we were allowed to put his face on the big screen three times during the evening, just a flash, and the cameramen were allowed to take two pictures, that was it.
“So he was having a proper night out with his mates having a few pints enjoying himself.
“And the crowd started chanting, Harry give us a wave and he looked at me, and I saw a bit of inquisitiveness in his face as if to say, ‘what do I do’?”
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Hearn then added: “I looked at him and said, if you stand up now and you wave to these people, your street credibility is assured for life because you’ve identified with the normal man.
“And he looked at me and he said ‘I’m not sure I’m allowed to’.
“And I thought that was quite sad. He shouldn’t be living in a world where you’ve got rules like that.”
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Darts chief Barry Hearn felt sorry for Prince Harry after he was unable to wave to the crowd
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The Duke enjoyed attending several World Darts Championships during his younger years.
He was also spotted attending the event in 2014 as Stephen Bunting overcame James Wade.
Bunting was later asked about Harry being in attendance.
Prince Harry enjoyed himself at the darts in 2011 as Adrian Lewis won the World Championship
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And he quipped about the pair potentially enjoying a drink together, saying: “I didn’t know Harry was here. I’m going to have a pint with him now!
“But it is great that darts is getting this type of coverage.”
The World Darts Championship will kick off on 15 December this year. Luke Humphries is the defending champion, having beaten Luke Littler in the final in January to reinforce his position as the best player on the planet.