I Wanna Marry "Harry"

At first, the contestants are not explicitly told that the bachelor is Prince Harry; they are merely led to make that inference on their own by Hicks' close resemblance, the royal setting of Englefield House,^[4] the lavish dates, and being surrounded by real professional servants and a security detail that really does have experience protecting heads of state.^[5] Hicks is referred to in the contestants' presence only as "Sir."^[6] However, in the 5th episode, Hicks tells Kelly while they are alone that he is Prince Harry, and later the butler Kingsley announces to all seven remaining contestants at the dinner table that "Sir is indeed His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales."

In a 2015, interview with Fusion TV, contestant Kimberly Birch explained that the production crew "really messed with us", and "were really trying everything they possibly could to convince us that [Hicks] was [Harry]", including having a member of the crew pose as a therapist who told the contestants that they needed to stop doubting the situation; ultimately, Birch compared it to brainwashing.^[7]

Contestant Andrea Fox, in an interview on the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning radio show, said that prior to filming the contestants were told they were going to be on a TV show called "Dream Date" and that it was more about "the experience for the girls" instead of "finding love", and that people with the show kept saying "Don't compare it to The Bachelor".^[8]

The butler on the show, only referred to as Kingsley, is portrayed by English actor Paul Leonard.^[9]

The series first aired in the USA on May 20, 2014, on Fox. On June 12, 2014, Fox cancelled I Wanna Marry "Harry" after four of the eight produced episodes due to low ratings but announced it would air the remainder on Fox.com, cable On Demand,^[2] Fox NOW and Hulu.^[3]

It began airing in the UK on ITV2 on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, at 9:00pm.^[10]

The first episode aired on Fox following the last season 13 American Idol performance show and had a 1.5 household rating, with a 0.7 for adults 18–49. The second show, which followed Riot, had a 1.0 household rating, with a 0.4 for viewers 18–49.^[11] The third episode had 1.04 million live + "same day DVR" viewers with a rating for adults 18-49 of 0.4 (adults 18-49 share: 1).^[12]

ITV2 broadcast the first and second shows on the same night (June 4, 2014) and the first show drew 286,000 viewers (1.2%) from 9pm-10pm, while the second show drew 274,000 viewers (1.7%) from 10pm to 11pm.^[13]

Time magazine reviewed the US premiere, comparing it as "weirdly similar, down to minor details" to Joe Millionaire. However, unlike Joe Millionaire, the magazine noted, there is no shame or guilt in the deception, which Time attributed to reality TV learning to become "lighter in tone yet more slick and ruthless".^[1]

In the UK, The Telegraph headlined its review "fodder for the braindead" and commenting "the floundering Harry lookalike wasn't a wild or weird enough character to carry the show, entertainment derived solely from the foolish bachelorettes." But it picks out the butler, Kingsley, as a "genre-bender of genius" who strays far from his brief.^[14]

In 2024, a BBC Sounds podcast, The Bachelor of Buckingham Palace, about the series was created.^[15] Hosted by Scott Bryan, The Guardian called it "an enjoyable show that should be required listening for anyone who thinks reality show contestants are in on the joke",^[16] and The Financial Times described it as "a hoot" whilst taking the deception at the heart of the show "entirely seriously".^[17]

The bachelor, Matthew Hicks, now a physics teacher at Cardinal Newman Roman Catholic secondary school in Rhondda Cynon Taff, worked for an environmental consultancy firm. He had previously done some very small-scale impersonations of Prince Harry, but otherwise had no prior acting experience. Before filming began, Hicks had his natural blond hair dyed ginger to match Prince Harry's hair colour, and was given brief training in "princely" activities he would need for the show, such as horseback riding, fencing and ballroom dancing. Hicks was also taught extensive information about Prince Harry, to help Hicks be able to respond to contestants appropriately.^[18]

Show creator, Danny Fenton, said in an interview on Good Morning Britain that he talked to over 100 potential Harry lookalikes from multiple countries before selecting Hicks.^[19]

Key

  (WIN) The contestant won the competition.

  (CROWN) The contestant got the Crown Suite.

  (SAFE) The contestant was safe.

  (LEFT) The contestant quit the competition.

  (OUT) The contestant was eliminated.