In his memoir “Spare,” Prince Harry offers a striking account from his 2012 jaunt to Las Vegas with friends. At one point during this magical quest he considered getting a tattoo to commemorate the once-in-a-lifetime experience. The prince had decided to mark this momentous occasion with a very special ceremony. He took a different approach and got the shape of Botswana tattooed on the bottom of his foot. His friends stopped him, vigorously protesting and eventually convincing him not to get the tattoo.
On that journey, Prince Harry decided that he needed to represent his newfound freedom and sense of adventure. He set out to create an unforgettable tattoo that reflected his free-spirited personality. In his words, he mused, “I need something to commemorate this trip, I decided,” and further elaborated on the thought process behind his idea.
Friends Take Charge
Prince Harry’s friends were instrumental in talking him out of a bad decision. They never shied away from making their commitment a reality. They promised to tackle him and “take him out” if it would prevent him from making a last minute stupid decision. He recalled their arguments clearly, stating, “Their arguments and threats are one of my last clear memories from that evening.”
And although he was excited at first, it wasn’t long before Prince Harry’s attention was diverted by the energetic everyday chaos that is Las Vegas. Instead of getting his tattoo as planned, he found himself at a club—and regretting his decision to go. “Instead, we trooped off to a club, where I curled into the corner of a leather banquette and watched a procession of young women come and go,” he wrote. And so it was that, in the end, the night concluded without a single tattoo decision made. He soon became introspective about the decisions he and his peers were making.
A Lasting Desire
Years later, Prince Harry’s wish for the needle is still a dream deferred. He was last seen walking into a tattoo shop in New York City. He indeed squashed all that buzz about his tattoo plans as a joke. He has wonderful memories of Botswana disposed to his time there. This country holds special meaning, as it is the place where Prince Harry spent so much time with Meghan Markle.
To this day, those years of youthful rebellion are defined by spontaneous choices and the need to be heard. It was his pals from Peoria that really saved him from himself at the time he needed saving the most. Their impact on that Las Vegas journey speaks to the value of friendships with fellow players and mentors in finding the strength to make your own personal choice.
