Out of all the British royals [1], Prince Harry has always had the reputation for being the edgy one — or at least the one most willing to buck tradition in small ways [2]. Ever since his wedding to Meghan Markle [3], the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have truly stepped into their roles [4] as royal trendsetters [5] and forward-thinking royals, in everything from etiquette to fashion [6]. But there's one thing that's a step too far even for Prince Harry: tattoos.

Although it's not technically forbidden the way that other things (such as taking political sides [7] or taking selfies) are, most senior members of the royal family keep their fashion choices relatively conservative [8]. That means no permanent body modifications other than simple ear piercings for women. As one of the most visible and senior royals [9], Prince Harry doesn't really rock the boat much these days. Similarly, other high-profile royals, such as the Duchess of Sussex [10] or the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge [11], are unlikely to be seen with tattoos.

We won't be seeing Prince Harry with any ink, but there are plenty of royals who do have tattoos [12]! In other European royal families, there are high-ranked royals who have chosen to display some body art. Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark [13], the country's future king, proudly displays several tattoos, including a very visible shark on one of his legs that dates back to his naval service days. In Sweden, Princess Sofia [14], the former model who married Prince Carl Philip in 2015, has a sun tattoo on her upper back that was visible above the neckline of her wedding gown. Even the British Windsors have one rebel: Lady Amelia Windsor [15], a distant cousin descended from the Duke of Kent who has several visible tattoos.

If Prince Harry ever does want a bit of ink, he does have an option. He could follow the lead of his sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge, who got a small, temporary henna tattoo [16] in February 2018.