In defence of Prince Harry's necklace

Frank de Courcy

The revelation that Prince Willy allegedly broke Prince Harold’s necklace in a fight shows how unshockable we’ve become when it comes to Harry and Meghan drama. Because my main question after this particular episode isn’t about press standards or dysfunction in the royal family – it’s ‘why was he wearing a necklace?’.

When I was a child, my mother would impress upon my brother, sister and me the importance of not being seen to do or wear anything that could be regarded as ‘naff’. Tattoos and earrings or necklaces (on men) were all deemed especially naff. As a result, between the three of us we have 12 tattoos at the last count. I also have an earring and a necklace.

Yet men’s necklaces are not as nouveau as my mother feared. Ancient Celts wore torcs into battle; Greek, Roman and Ancient Egyptian men often wore gold or silver chains around their necks; and pearl necklaces (as well as earrings) were considered high fashion for men in early modern Europe.

Ancient Celts wore torcs into battle; Greek, Roman and Ancient Egyptian men wore gold or silver chains around their necks; and pearl necklaces were considered high fashion for men in early modern Europe

In more recent history there has been the ‘love beads’ of 1960s hippies; John Travolta-style disco chains; and hip hop culture’s gold pendants. That’s even before you consider the more niche reasons men might wear necklaces – soldiers’ dogtags, for instance.

So what did Prince Harry’s pendant signify? It has been reported that it was a present from his ex, Chelsy Davy, who founded a jewellery brand. Perhaps it simply reminded him of better times, which could be why his brother’s act of breaking it gets a special mention in his memoir. This could also explain Meghan’s magnanimous response – she must have been delighted to see it destroyed.

We’ve also learnt from Harry’s memoir that he’s been consulting a Californian medium for regular talks with his mother. The fact that he’s gone this far is tragic, but it also shows that the Duke of Sussex has a new-age approach to spirituality, so perhaps he believed the necklace had vague Shamanic power. As William tore it, he shattered their fraternal relationship and Harry’s chakra with it.

But I believe that the most probable explanation for why Prince Harry wore a necklace was simply because he wanted to be naff. The motivation for my own necklace, earring and tattoos is to goad my mother. Similarly, I can imagine no better way for Harry to elicit a response from Prince Charles – an impeccably dressed man who no doubt sleeps in double-breasted pyjamas – than by turning up at Clarence House wearing a hippy necklace.

It represents rebellion but also a longing to trigger a response from the father who didn’t even hug his son when his mother died. If the royal family is ever going to reconcile, perhaps the King needs to start by buying Harry a new beaded Yin Yang necklace.

Frank de Courcy

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