Prince Harry has thanked tattoo artist Joshua Lord for his "handling of the press" in a letter shared by the East Side Ink parlour’s owner.
The Duke of Sussex was spotted visiting the world-famous shop last year, prompting intense speculation about whether he had received his first tattoo.
It soon emerged that the reason behind the visit was to film a sketch as a tease for the then-upcoming 2025 Invictus Games.
In a letter signed by Harry, dated October 17 last year, he thanked Lord for his "skilful dodging" of questions from the media.
INSTAGRAM / JOSHUA LORD
|Prince Harry's thankful letter to a tattoo parlour owner for his help with the press has been revealed
"Dear Josh, thank you so much for your generosity in offering us your space at East Side Ink for filming," the Duke’s letter began.
He added: "It was incredibly kind, and I really enjoyed meeting you and learning more about the history of your shop.
"I also appreciated your artful handling of press questions regarding my visit, it means a lot and I was rather impressed by your skilful dodging! Well done."
Harry teased: "They’ll be in for a shock when they see the final cut."
Instagram: Joshua Lord
|Harry shared how impressed he was with Lord's 'skillful dodging' of press attention after his visit to the parlour
"Grateful for your partnership and support in service of the Invictus community."
Harry wrapped up the letter with an invitation to Lord: "If you’d like to come to Vancouver in February, we’d love to have you!"
The Duke personally signed the letter in his handwriting: "All the best, Harry."
Lord shared the letter alongside previously unseen photographs of Harry visiting the tattoo parlour.
Instagram: Joshua Lord
|Lord also shared a new photo of the Duke visiting East Side Ink alongside rapper, Jelly Roll
It showed Harry beaming alongside Lord and rapper Jelly Roll, who featured in the short, and two other tattooists who work at the establishment.
"Lord, Prince and Jelly," East Side Ink’s owner captioned the post, tagging his workers.
He added: "ALSO my Royal ‘thank you’ letter naming me as the Skilful Dodger, which is a pretty good nickname, really."
Rather appropriately, Lord set the post to the song Royals by Lorde.
PA
|The comedic sketch features Prince Harry receiving a temporary tattoo
The tattooist made a slight blunder in tagging in the now-defunct @sussexroyal Instagram account, which Harry and Meghan stopped using after stepping down as working royals in 2020.
In the short, filmed at East Side Ink, Harry could be seen being given a temporary tattoo by Jelly Roll in exchange for his attendance at the Invictus Games.
In the sketch, titled A Deal is a Deal, the Duke initially proposed more hidden locations for the tattoo, but eventually agreed to have it in pride of place.
The comedic short concluded with a horrified Harry left with a huge "I am Jelly Roll" ink on his neck, a reference to the mantra of the Invictus Games.