Prince Harry’s three-word reply when royal aide accidentally called him ‘mate’
The prince’s former press secretary apologised for accidentally calling Harry ‘mate’ over text.

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 29: (UK OUT FOR 28 DAYS) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex visits Abel Tasman National Park, which sits at the north-Eastern tip of the South Island, to visit some of the conservation initiatives managed by the Department of Conservation on October 29, 2018 in Wellington, New Zealand.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

The brothers’ press secretary was ‘closer’ to Harry and thereby less ‘formal’ (Image: WireImage)
Prince Harry once caught an aide off guard by his unexpected reaction when he was accidentally addressed as “mate”, a royal book has revealed.

Prior to tying the knot with Meghan Markle in 2018, Prince Harry shared many staff members with his elder brother, Prince William. Both of them were based in Kensington Palace, known for its more relaxed atmosphere compared to their father’s office, King Charles, where traditional salutations such as “Your Royal Highness” (while he was still Prince of Wales) and “Sir” were customary.

An ex-press secretary at Kensington Palace, Nick Loughran, noted that he tended to adhere less strictly to formality when working with the brothers. Another former press secretary, Ed Perkins, narrates a surprising incident surrounding this informality.

He recalls how he inadvertently addressed Harry on text, only to receive a surprising response from him.

The anecdote is included in Valentine Lows book Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown. The read delves deep into the profiles of those servicing the Royal Household and their roles in moulding the monarchy, reports the Mirror.

It also explores the relationships between royal family members and their staff. A segment in the book specifically examines the subtle variations encountered by employees while addressing their Royal superiors.

The book states: “When Nick Loughran worked at Kensington Palace as a press secretary, he would call Harry by his first name, but tended to be more formal with Prince William because their relationship was not so close.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 01: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (left) and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex arrive for the unveiling of a statue they commissioned of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, on what would have been her 60th birthday on July 1, 2021 in London, England. Today would have been the 60th birthday of Princess Diana, who died in 1997. At a ceremony here today, her sons Prince William and Prince Harry, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex respectively, will unveil a statue in her memory. (Photo by Yui Mok – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
William and Harry used to share staff members (Image: Getty Images)

“Ed Perkins, who also had a spell as press secretary for the two princes, once accidentally sent a text to Harry saying, ‘Hello mate’. He recalled: ‘I texted back saying, ‘So sorry, just called you mate. I didn’t mean to.’ [Harry] wrote back saying, ‘Please don’t worry.'”

The explosive book, first published in 2022, revealed the inner workings of palace life as Harry and Meghan Markle decided to step down from Royal duties.

Among the shocking revelations in the book are Harry’s fear of becoming “irrelevant” and William’s failed attempt at reconciliation. Meghan and Harry left their Royal roles in 2020 and relocated to the United States, where they have openly criticised their experiences within The Firm.

The book delves into the tumultuous relationship between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family, detailing how it shook the monarchy’s foundations. It also highlights that Prince Harry’s presence in the UK at the time of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing was purely coincidental, as he was engaged in charity work.

The publication suggests Harry fretted over his standing within the family and includes allegations that Meghan Markle had once threatened to end their relationship unless it became public. Further sensational revelations include Meghan’s reported discontent with performing walkabouts during an official visit to Australia and an incident where Harry was reprimanded by the Queen for being “rude”.

Join the Daily Record’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.