Prince Harry has once again made headlines, this time trying his hand at a new skill—surfing on the sunny shores of California.

A recently surfaced video shows the former royal intently focusing on a white surfboard, though his stance suggests he’s more of a beginner than an experienced surfer. In a scene that can only be described as endearing, Harry leaps onto the board with the grace of a baby giraffe on roller skates. Despite the wobbly start, he manages to stand up—thanks to some firm coaching from his instructor—awkwardly stretching out his arms for balance, much like a new parent trying to catch their child before they fall.

The footage appears to be a perfectly choreographed moment in which Harry, as is often the case, shines with the help of expert editing from the Sussex media team. Social media platforms were quick to react, with the surfing account @SurferToday gushing about the Duke’s efforts, describing him as living the “California Dream.”

Even though Harry’s official royal titles have been stripped away, it seems he’s still keen to bask in the limelight. The ever-watchful royal commentators have already jumped in to dissect his newfound persona as a daring, fun-loving prince. It’s almost as if they had been waiting for an opportunity to draw comparisons between Harry and his late mother, Princess Diana, who frequently defied expectations and embraced new adventures. After all, it’s not unusual for mentions of his mother to surface when discussing Harry.

And let’s take a moment to talk about Harry’s hair. In the video, it appears fuller and more luscious than we’ve seen in recent times, almost as though it has defied the laws of physics. Could this footage be from a past surfing escapade, cleverly edited to appear recent? Or has Prince Harry’s hair undergone a sudden, miraculous transformation? Whatever the case, it’s hard not to wonder if this is just a glimpse into some of his earlier attempts to master the waves.

While Harry’s surfing adventure is making headlines, it’s worth remembering the achievements of other members of the Royal Family. For example, his aunt, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, recently became the first royal to visit Chad, traveling to the Chad-Sudan border to meet refugees fleeing conflict. In 2023, she also journeyed to Baghdad to support victims of sexual violence. While these notable feats receive less fanfare, Harry’s poolside surfing moment seems to capture the public’s attention.

However, Harry’s so-called surfing adventure seems more like a staged production than a genuine feat. In the video, he doesn’t even paddle out on his own, and any seasoned surfer will tell you that using your arms to paddle is part of the joy. Instead, Harry remains motionless, as though waiting for someone to bring him a latte, sitting on what might as well be a palace door disguised as a surfboard. The entire scene looks more like a carefully crafted illusion aimed at making Harry appear like a pro surfer—something he clearly is not. The controlled conditions, with no crashing waves or saltwater drenching his hair, make it all the more suspicious. And how is it that Harry’s hair stays perfectly styled in the wind? It’s almost as if some CGI magic was used to keep his appearance just right.

Perhaps the most amusing moment in the video comes when his instructor shouts, “Move your shoulders,” and Harry responds with an awkward little shimmy. It’s reminiscent of a dad trying to pull off some dance moves at a family wedding, rather than a confident surfer riding the waves. This begs the question: is Harry’s surfing attempt as authentic as his days flying a helicopter during his military service? While Harry might be trying to immerse himself in California’s laid-back surf culture, in reality, he’s just riding the wave of public perception—a carefully constructed image that, like surfing itself, often feels more like a whimsical daydream than a true reflection of reality.