Matthew Hicks is not Prince Harry, he just plays him on TV (and occasionally in clubs, at parties and in other social events that put beer money in the 24-year-old’s pocket).
The star of Fox’s new reality series “I Wanna Marry ‘Harry’” sat down on the day of his big TV debut for the latest episode of TheWrap’s “Drinking With the Stars” to discuss how he kinda-sorta dupes 12 American women into thinking they’re dating the real Royal Family troublemaker.
The thing is, Hicks is simply presented as an eligible British bachelor (which he is), with an older brother (which he has) and who loves his mum (which he does). While the palace and helicopter and bodyguards aren’t his, the women are never explicitly told that he’s Prince Harry — but they’re also not at all discouraged from letting their imaginations run wild, given the uncanny resemblance and some well-placed evidence.
Also read: Fox Moves ‘I Wanna Marry Harry’ Up by a Week
Hicks told TheWrap that he went through a week of Harry training in preparation, where he learned how to ride a horse, proper dining etiquette, key dates, where the prince has traveled, etc. He even adopted a somewhat more proper British accent for the role.
“I Wanna Marry ‘Harry’” debuts Tuesday night on Fox at 9 p.m., just after “American Idol.”