Rhys Whittock, who is regarded as one of the nation’s leading Prince Harry lookalikes, is already being flooded with enquiries after news broke that Harry and wife Meghan are planning to move back to Britain
Prince Harry’s UK return is proving a royal windfall for the man who makes a living looking just like him.
Rhys Whittock, who is regarded as one of the nation’s leading Prince Harry lookalikes, is already being flooded with enquiries after news broke that Harry and wife Meghan are planning to move back to Britain later this month.
Delighted Rhys said: “It all took off for me after the royal engagement in 2017.
“I’ve been doing it ever since and I’ve been incredibly lucky with the opportunities it’s given me.
“It’s even taken me around the world.”
Rhys says his resemblance to Harry has remained remarkably consistent over the years, something he believes has helped him stay at the top of his game and ahead of his rivals.
He keeps a close eye on Harry’s changing appearance, from the beard and hairstyle to the jewellery he wears, while also admitting there is one major difference between them.
“I’ve got more hair than Harry at the moment,” he joked.
“I’m not willing to thin my hair out just to look like him, so if it carries on thinning I might have to invest in a wig.”
The lookalike is also the same height and build as Harry and is only around a year apart from him in age.
His work has seen him attend Christmas parties, summer events, meet-and-greets, advertising campaigns and press stunts.
One of his wildest jobs took him all the way to Macau, China, where he was hired for a billionaire’s birthday party.
He added: “It was an incredible experience.
“I got to stay in a beautiful hotel and was treated like royalty.
“I’ve travelled all over the world doing this job, and that’s one of the best things about it.”
Rhys normally earns a couple of hundred pounds per appearance, although fees and perks vary depending on the job.
Now, he expects Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain to bring another surge in demand.
He added: “I’m expecting it to get super busy now.
“This is definitely good news for me.”
Rhys has seen bookings slow during the couple’s time in the US, particularly through the pandemic, but remembers huge demand around their wedding and the births of their children.
Despite spending years impersonating the royal, Rhys has never actually met the real Harry.
But he says it is something he would love to change.
Rhys shared: “I’d love to meet Harry one day, shake his hand and thank him.
“He has genuinely changed my life.
“I wouldn’t have met my wife or had my daughter, who we named after Princess Diana, as I met my wife at a London Fashion Week event during an appearance as Harry.”
Rhys also hopes the royal would see the funny side of his unusual career.
“I’m sure he’s seen some of the appearances I’ve done over the years, and I hope he takes it all in good humour,” he said.
Alongside his lookalike work, Rhys is an estate agent, meaning Harry’s return could give him the perfect excuse to combine both careers.
“Harry is going to be looking for a house, so I’d happily show him around some suitable properties,” he joked.
“I’d be more than happy to help him find a palace.”