Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Gemma Jones

Prince Harry breaks silence over rumour that James Hewitt is his 'real' dad

Prince Harry has for the first time publicly addressed the rumours that Major James Hewitt is his real dad.

The rumours started when the Duke of Sussex's mum, the late Princess Diana, confirmed a five-year affair with Major James Hewitt during the 1980s. As a result, there has always been some hearsay that she had a child with him.

The Prince has now addressed the "sadistic" rumours in his new tall-all book, Spare, which is due to be released next week. The Mirror reported that Harry made reference to the rumours and how the now-King Charles had often made light of guessing who his real father was.

READ MORE: Prince Harry gives his verdict on King's coronation in bombshell ITV interview

The Duke wrote: "The joke was damn funny in light of the rumour going around at the time that my real father was one of my mother's ex-lovers: Major James Hewitt. One cause of the rumour was Major Hewitt's red hair, but another was sadism.

"Tabloid readers loved the idea that Prince Charles's youngest son was not Prince Charles's son. They never got tired of that 'joke', for some reason."

Major James Hewitt (Getty Images)

Harry went on to ponder whether it was to help paint him as a "laughing stock". He says it didn't seem to matter that Diana hadn't even met Major Hewitt "until long after I was born".

Harry was born in 1984, but Princess Diana didn't meet Major Hewitt until 1986.

Harry also claims some journalists went so far as to begin "hunting my DNA to verify it" and his initial response was that after "torturing" his mum into hiding "soon they would come for me". He wrote that over the years, rehashed versions of the story seem to be published "with some seriousness" and any accounts of Charles having to reassure him Major Hewitt was not his dad are "invented".

Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace have declined to comment on the leaked claims from Harry’s book.

Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here

For more celeb news, videos and pictures follow our designated Facebook page HERE

READ NEXT:

Paddy McGuinness compared to popstar as he addresses plastic surgery rumours

Nan calls husband 'dirty old b*****d' as used knickers arrive in post

Mum who lost eight stone shares diet tips that actually work

A Place in the Sun Laura Hamilton lifts lid on 'afternoon of fun' with co-star

Woman saves £400 on electricity bill by switching off energy 'guzzler'

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.