Sun journalist who witnessed Prince Harry’s exploits first-hand recalls time he was offered snap of Prince William’s penis while royal pair were trekking in South Africa
Former Sun Royal Editor Duncan Larcombe spent more than a decade up close with one of the nation’s favourite royals
PRINCE HARRY is one of the nation’s favourite royals – even after his occasional scrapes.
Former Sun Royal Editor Duncan Larcombe spent more than a decade witnessing Harry’s exploits first-hand, including boozing with him on a Swiss ski holiday and playing football with him in Africa.
Here, in a second extract from his new book Prince Harry: The Inside Story, Duncan recalls more encounters with Harry – and brother Wills.
HARRY had to find something to occupy himself. Since leaving Afghanistan he had been in limbo, unsure what the future held.
By chance, a charity that organised an annual motorbike trek in South Africa had agreed to donate funds from their event to Harry’s charity Sentebale.
So, as Harry’s application to the Army Air Corps was being processed, he and William had set off for a 1,000-mile adventure from Durban to Port Elizabeth.
The royal press corps was dispatched to take part in the photocall on the first day of the trek.
I was booked into an economy seat on the Virgin overnight flight to Johannesburg.
As one of the last passengers getting on to the sold-out flight, I was horrified to realise I had mislaid my boarding pass.
When the increasingly agitated steward came back over to me, he said: “Look, for goodness sake, I’m going to need you to stand to one side because Prince Harry is about to get on board.”
So I decided to have a little fun with the steward.
I told him: “Well, I’m not getting out of the way for Prince Harry, he can wait for me.”
The blood drained out of the steward’s face. But by then it was too late.
Behind him, stepping on to the plane, was one of Harry’s most trusted protection officers.
And, true to form, the next person to step on board was Harry himself.
As the steward held his breath, Harry looked over to me and said: “Hello, Duncan, I guess you’re travelling in Economy.”
Then, as Harry began to climb the hallowed steps to the Upper Class cabin, he paused and, with that familiar cheeky smile, said: “I hope you enjoy your flight, we’ve managed to blag an upgrade.”
I looked back at Harry and replied: “Well, I wonder how you managed to do that, Harry. Must have been the air miles.”
With that, the royal passenger disappeared upstairs, still laughing at my expense.
The princes’ motorbike trek was to lead to another memorable moment for me too...
“You’ve done what?” I asked the freelance photographer.
“Are you seriously trying to sell me a picture of Prince William’s penis?”
It never ceases to amaze me what some people think The Sun would want to publish.
The photo — which I hasten to add I have never seen — was taken of Prince William as he relieved himself during a brief break on the motorbike trek.
The South African photographer had sneaked into the bushes to try and photograph the princes riding past.
Then she had found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time when the group pulled over for a snack and the future king was caught short.
I thanked the photographer for coming to me first but suggested the best thing she could do was delete the image from her camera and forget it had ever been taken.
I’M RIGHT HERE, WILLS . . . KEEP CALM AND MARRY ON
“ARE you ready?” Harry asked his brother, as the signal came through that it was time for them to leave St James’s Palace.
William looked nervous and as white as a sheet as he nodded back.
When he made his way up the steps of Westminster Abbey to get married on the morning of April 29, 2011, he needed his younger brother more than ever.
I was among a handful of journalists seated in the Abbey’s Poets’ Corner, a few rows from the front.
From this vantage point, we were able to watch the vital role Harry played that day.
The most nerve-racking time for any groom is when he is waiting at the front of the church for the bride to arrive.
With this in mind, Harry had arranged for the two of them to get to the front of the Abbey then disappear into a room adjoining Poets’ Corner.
The plan was for Harry to get his brother down the aisle then take him out of view of the cameras while they waited for the signal that Kate had arrived.
And so it was that, with just minutes to go before the wedding of the decade would get under way, Harry led his brother to the side room and closed the door.
I had a ringside view of the royal brothers heading into that room.
I had never seen William looking so nervous.
The dazzle of his bright red tunic did little, I thought, to mask the sheer white fear he was trying so hard to hide.
Harry, who was also wearing the ceremonial colours of his regiment, the Army Air Corps, managed to throw his brother a reassuring smile as he led William into the room.
There is no doubt that the sight of Harry, seemingly playing it cool, must have come as a lifeline to William.
There is no one he would have wanted by his side more.
- From Prince Harry: The Inside Story, by Duncan Larcombe, out on Thursday (Harper Collins, £14.99)