Ginger royal: Prince Harry (Picture: Getty)

They are often spotted on holiday hiding underneath parasols and layers of suncream.

But people with ginger hair can trace their flame-haired heritage back to the first intrepid settlers to arrive in Europe from Africa.

The mutation that caused the ‘ginger gene’, known as V60L allele, occurred 50,000 years ago.

It lightened the skin and allowed people to get more vitamin D from weaker sunlight.


However, it increased their vulnerability to melanomas – the deadliest form of skin cancer.

The mutation remains common across Europe, even in those with no outward signs.

Because it is recessive, the gene needs to be carried by both parents for it to cause ‘rufosity’ in a child.



It was discovered by Spanish researchers examining the genes of 3,000 people, Molecular Biology and Evolution reported.

Study author Dr Saioa Lopez said: ‘As a consequence of depigmentation there has been collateral damage to health.

‘This can be reconciled if we assume that melanoma is typically a post-reproductive disease, and consequently should have little effect on the individual’s genetic contribution to the next generation.’

Scotland has the world’s highest concentration of red heads, at about 13 per cent, but nearly half the population carries the gene.

Comedian Shawn Hitchins, who organises the summer Ginger Pride march in Edinburgh, said: ‘It’s great to know why we have higher levels of skin cancer.

‘I go for my six-month mole checks and I’m starting to look like a Swiss cheese. If it helps us to understand skin cancer then that’s really useful.’