In a surprising midweek appearance, Prince Harry was spotted at a renowned celebrity tattoo parlour in New York City’s Lower East Side, sparking curiosity about what brought the royal to the ink shop. The Duke of Sussex visited East Side Ink on Wednesday afternoon, arriving around 1 p.m. and staying for about an hour, according to reports by The Mail. Notably, Meghan Markle was absent during this solo outing.

While details about whether Prince Harry received a tattoo, and if so, the design he chose, remain undisclosed, the shop’s staff and owner were tight-lipped about the royal’s visit. Josh Lord, the shop’s owner, maintained confidentiality, stating, “I couldn’t tell you anything about anyone that stopped by without their permission. A tattoo is a deeply personal choice… anything that happens here is your private moment.”

Prince Harry, flanked by his security team and members of the NYPD, arrived in a black SUV. Images obtained by Page Six show the Duke entering the shop, where tattoo sessions can cost up to $350 an hour. East Side Ink, which has been a staple of New York’s tattoo scene since 1992, is renowned for its celebrity clientele, with stars like Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, and Jeremy Renner all having received ink at the establishment.

Originally catering to bikers and hardcore body-art enthusiasts, East Side Ink has evolved into a premier tattoo destination, attracting both neighborhood locals and A-list celebrities. It was recently listed among New York City’s best tattoo parlours in Time Out’s 2024 rankings.

While Prince Harry’s visit has sparked speculation, the Duke remained private about his experience. Meghan Markle, meanwhile, remained in Montecito with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.

This latest sighting of Prince Harry adds to his increasingly public presence in the U.S., following his move away from royal duties in the UK. As speculation continues about the nature of his visit, fans and the public alike are left wondering whether the Duke of Sussex left the tattoo parlour with a new piece of body art or simply visited out of curiosity.