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“Ego Driven”: Prince Harry Gets Neck Tattoo From Jelly Roll In New Video, Stunt Sparks Criticism
“Ego Driven”: Prince Harry Gets Neck Tattoo From Jelly Roll In New Video, Stunt Sparks Criticism
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“Ego Driven”: Prince Harry Gets Neck Tattoo From Jelly Roll In New Video, Stunt Sparks Criticism

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Prince Harry was “tattooed” on his neck by Jelly Roll. The British royal teamed up with the country music star in a “hilarious” video announcing Jelly Roll as the headliner for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 closing ceremony on February 16, 2025. The clip featured a comedic exchange where Jelly Roll seemingly gave the Duke of Sussex his first tattoo.

Highlights
  • Prince Harry announces Jelly Roll as headliner for Invictus Games 2025.
  • Comedic video shows Jelly Roll 'tattooing' Prince Harry's neck.
  • Video filmed at East Side Ink in NYC during Harry's solo visit.
  • Invictus Games 'Invictus I Am' logo references Henley's poem.
  • Video sparks mixed reactions, from amusement to criticism.

Taking to its Instagram page on Tuesday (November 19), the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 shared a clip to Instagram showing Prince Harry and the 39-year-old singer meeting at East Side Ink, a tattoo parlor in New York City, USA. 

The video may have been filmed during Prince Harry’s solo trip to NYC in September when he was spotted at the tattoo parlor whose celebrity clients include Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Susan Sarandon, Ruby Rose, and Bruce Willis, People reported on Tuesday.

At the start of the clip, someone could be heard asking the duke: “Take a look around, can we get you anything?”

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    Prince Harry was “tattooed” on his neck by Jelly Roll

    Prince Harry in a gray suit smiling while walking outside, related to neck tattoo video.

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    Image credits: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

    To this, Harry was filmed replying: “No, I’m alright. Is he going to be here any time soon?” 

    As the 40-year-old dad-of-two sat in a tattoo chair, waiting, Jelly Roll arrived, greeting him: “Hey, hey! Tattoos! Speaking of! What’s up! I’m such a fan, dude. 

    “Do you know I could not believe it when they called me and told me Prince Harry wanted to get a tattoo today?

    “They wanted me to give him his first tattoo? This is the coolest thing ever!”

    Realizing that Jelly Roll, instead of an actual tattoo artist, was wearing gloves and getting ready to ink him, Prince Harry was seemingly baffled.

    Two men in a tattoo parlor discussing tattoos, with tattoo equipment in view.

    Image credits: Invictus Games Foundation

    Jelly Roll consequently explained: “We’re giving you a tattoo about the Invictus Games,” but Harry countered: “No, I came here to ask you to do the Invictus Games.

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    “There’s no tattoo in this. I can’t get a tattoo!” 

    Upon negotiating, Jelly Roll said: “I’ll play the Invictus Games, you just let me give you your first tattoo.” 

    “Alright, screw it, let’s go,” the prince finally conceded, as Jelly Roll started up his tattoo gun.

    The British royal teamed up with the country music star in a “hilarious” video announcing Jelly Roll as the headliner for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 

    Tattoo artist giving neck tattoo in studio, highlighting ego driven controversy.

    Image credits: Invictus Games Foundation

    “We gotta go for the neck!” the Wild Ones hitmaker said before Harry shared: “I was thinking the lower back or on my a*s.” 

    The funny exchange continued as Jelly Roll joked with Prince Harry about tattoo placement, dismissing Harry’s preference for a discreet spot and opting for a bold design on his neck instead. 

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    As Jelly Roll began the tattoo, the duke nervously questioned his expertise and expressed surprise at its size, quipping he should have gone with his original idea.

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    Jelly Roll reassured him, calling it a “commitment” and emphasizing the tattoo’s significance. 

    Tattoo artist giving a neck tattoo in a vibrant studio setting.

    Image credits: Invictus Games Foundation

    The “Invictus I Am” logo embodies the message at the heart of the Invictus Games, inspired by William Ernest Henley’s iconic poem Invictus, which includes the phrase, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul,” according to People.

    The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 is an international adaptive sporting competition for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans.

    The clip sparked amusement, as an Instagram user commented: “The way I screamed!! 

    “Jelly Roll!! We love him!!!!!!!!!! The Invictus Family is gonna have the time of their lives!!!”

    The clip featured a comedic exchange where Jelly Roll seemingly gave the Duke of Sussex his first tattoo

    Neck tattoo reading "I AM" with "Jelly Roll" underneath, highlighted in blue lighting.

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    Image credits: Invictus Games Foundation

    A person wrote: “Prince Harry is THE best!”

    Someone else penned: “Didn’t know Prince could act..he did a good job.”

    “Actually this was funny as hell,” a netizen shared. “Tattoo was a joke. Lol.”

    A separate individual chimed in: “This is hilarious.”

    Prince Harry observes neck tattoo by tattoo artist in colorful studio, expressing thoughtful demeanor.

    Image credits: Invictus Games Foundation

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    Nevertheless, other viewers didn’t find the clip as enjoyable,  as a cybernaut argued: “He is trying hard to be cool, it’s so cringe.”

    “This is stupid,” a commentator noted.

    An observer stated: “That better not be real. boy if he’s outcast now he’ll be more outcast when everybody in the royal family sees it.”

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    Jelly Roll as a headliner for the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 on February 16, 2025, was announced on Tuesday.

    Prince Harry and the 39-year-old singer met at East Side Ink, a tattoo parlor in New York City, USA

    The Games were created by Prince Harry. It was his return from deployment in Afghanistan and watching the coffin of a Danish Soldier loaded aboard for repatriation, alongside three injured British soldiers, that inspired him, the Invictus Games Foundation explains.

    “That moment had a profound impact on him and, following a visit to the US Warrior Games in 2013, he was inspired to create the international Invictus Games to celebrate the unconquered human spirit, and shine a spotlight on these men and women who served,” as per the Foundation.

    Prince Harry served in the British Army from 2005 to 2015, rising to the rank of Captain. 

    He underwent officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst at age 21, before being deployed to Afghanistan twice—first in 2007-2008 as a forward air controller and later in 2012-2013 as an Apache helicopter pilot. 

    The clip further ignited divided reactions

    Tweet referencing Prince Harry's neck tattoo with playful skepticism, calling it naive to believe its existence.

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    Image credits: SayidMet

    Tweet discussing Prince Harry's tattoo visit, with laughter and heart emojis.

    Image credits: factsand2cents

    Criticism of PR stunt involving Prince Harry's neck tattoo and Invictus Games support questioned by Twitter user.

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    Image credits: RestingDollface

    Tweet questioning the authenticity of Prince Harry's neck tattoo by Jelly Roll, with reply icons visible.

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    Image credits: AgathedeLili

    Tweet criticizing Prince Harry's appearances at veteran-focused events.

    Image credits: Lady_Jillybean

    Tweet praising Prince Harry as hilarious, shared by user EkuaDuncan on November 19, 2024.

    Image credits: EkuaDuncan

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    Tweet criticizing neck tattoo video featuring Prince Harry and Jelly Roll, mentioning finance concerns and charity money.

    Image credits: AnneMar25605792

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    Social media post praising Prince Harry's neck tattoo event with Jelly Roll.

    Image credits: harvest_fa77000

    Tweet criticizing Prince Harry as "ego driven," discussing his focus in media over veterans.

    Image credits: EnglishRose543

    Tweet mentioning Jelly Roll, discussing secrecy with Invictus Games and others.

    Image credits: NovaSoprano

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    Tweet expressing excitement for Invictus Games 2025, mentioning @InvictusGames25 and @JellyRoll615.

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    Image credits: sannetje_26

    Tweet criticizing video of Prince Harry, questioning cost and suggesting money be spent on veterans.

    Image credits: Hellysboy

    Tweet discussing a smart tactic to promote Invictus and announce Jelly Roll as the closing act.

    Image credits: SageKnowsAll

    Tweet criticizing Prince Harry for his supposed fake tattoo from Jelly Roll, questioning its authenticity.

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    Image credits: Nat_m0_rr1

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    Andréa Oldereide

    Andréa Oldereide

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    I’m a journalist who works as Bored Panda’s News Team's Senior Writer. The news team produces stories focused on pop culture. Whenever I get the opportunity and the time, I investigate and produce my own exclusive stories, where I get to explore a wider range of topics. Some examples include: “Doberman Tobias the viral medical service dog” and “The lawyer who brought rare uterine cancer that affects 9/11 victims to light”. You've got a tip? email me: andrea.o@boredpanda.com

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    Andréa Oldereide

    Andréa Oldereide

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    I’m a journalist who works as Bored Panda’s News Team's Senior Writer. The news team produces stories focused on pop culture. Whenever I get the opportunity and the time, I investigate and produce my own exclusive stories, where I get to explore a wider range of topics. Some examples include: “Doberman Tobias the viral medical service dog” and “The lawyer who brought rare uterine cancer that affects 9/11 victims to light”. You've got a tip? email me: andrea.o@boredpanda.com

    What do you think ?
    Zara VP
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I swear, people will always find something to complain about 🙄

    Robert T
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can we start calling him "The Harry Formerly Known as Prince"? ;-)

    Katy McMouse
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Absolutely. I regret not coming up with this - my game must be slipping.

    Load More Replies...
    Katy McMouse
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    About the people bitching about not featuring veterans in these clips - have they never heard of promoting? That's what organizers do - they hype up coming events. And did they not know, or forget, that Prince Harry established these games? The athletes are given plenty of attention while the games are occurring, as they should be.

    Load More Comments
    Zara VP
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I swear, people will always find something to complain about 🙄

    Robert T
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can we start calling him "The Harry Formerly Known as Prince"? ;-)

    Katy McMouse
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Absolutely. I regret not coming up with this - my game must be slipping.

    Load More Replies...
    Katy McMouse
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    About the people bitching about not featuring veterans in these clips - have they never heard of promoting? That's what organizers do - they hype up coming events. And did they not know, or forget, that Prince Harry established these games? The athletes are given plenty of attention while the games are occurring, as they should be.

    Load More Comments
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