Young Prince Harry caught up on a bit of Christmas shopping on Thursday, picking up a risque, feather-edged thong from up-market department store Selfridges. The 17-year-old royal was advised in his purchases by friends, including brousing companion and former royal nanny Tiggy Pettifer.
“A personal shopper collected up a whole selection of black thongs from around the department and then took them off for the Prince to look at,” a staff member told the Daily Mail. “Prince Harry was with friends and wandered off to look around the rest of the shop while the personal shopper went around.”
Speculation on the intended recipient of the lacy underwear ran high. An insider from the exclusive retailer reckons the gift is something of a joke, however. “I think it is a bit of a laugh, an annual ritual,” says the royal watcher of the £24.99 knickers. “I know he was in last year and bought a different black thong, but I don’t know who it was for.”
The cheeky shopping spree caps off a year in which the Eton heart-throb, just named one of People magazine’s 25 most intriguing figures, emerged from behind Prince William’s shadow. The redhead, who now towers at 6ft tall, pipped his brother to the post in a UK poll of sexiest celebs and even defeated his father in a charity polo match.
“He suddenly seems like a young man rather than a boy,” a family friend told People.