Prince Harry reveals key detail to shut down 'sadistic' rumour about who his real father is

In his memoir, Prince Harry addresses the rumours that James Hewitt, Princess Diana’s former riding instructor, is his father.

Princess Diana and James Hewitt’s affair

Prince Harry was born on 15th September 1984. According to an interview given by James Hewitt in 2002, he and Princess Diana didn’t meet until either 1985 or 1986, making it impossible for him to be Prince Harry’s father.

The riding instructor never denied having an affair but has always insisted it began after Prince Harry was born. In the interview with Sunday Mirror, he said:

There really is no possibility whatsoever that I am Harry’s father. I can absolutely assure you that I am not. Admittedly, the red hair is similar to mine, and people say we look alike. I have never encouraged these comparisons, and although I was with Diana for a long time, I must state once and for all that I’m not Harry’s father. When I met Diana, he was already a toddler.

The Duke of Sussex also writes in his memoir:

My mother didn’t meet Major Hewitt until long after I was born.

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However, royal author Nicholas Davies believes the affair started as early as 1983. He claims Major Hewitt was seen ‘inside Charles and Diana's Kensington Palace home on several occasions in 1983’.

He claimed that even Princess Diana didn’t know who Prince Harry’s birth father was. He said:

She suspected that it was more likely to be him (James Hewitt) than her husband (Prince Charles).

King Charles wants the truth

According to Prince Harry’s account, King Charles used to joke about the Duke’s parentage. He claims:

Pa liked telling stories, and this was one of the best in his repertoire. […] Who knows if I’m even your real father? Perhaps your father really is in Broadmoor, my dear son!

According to the Prince, King Charles would end up in fits of laughter afterwards despite it being hurtful, given the rumours that were circulating.

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Radar Online reports that King Charles ‘demanded’ Harry take a paternity test shortly after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. A palace source claimed the King suggested doing the test when Prince Harry was in the UK for the funeral proceedings.

The insider said:

He (King Charles) needs to get to the bottom of it once and for all. The royal family has to be 100 per cent certain that he's a blood relative.

According to the insider, ‘one has to be of royal blood’ to receive any inheritance from the Queen, whether it be jewels, properties, or other assets. If a paternity test were to be done, it could cost the Duke of Sussex much more than what is left of the relationship with his father.

Sources used:

- Cosmopolitan: Prince Harry Addresses Rumors That James Hewitt Is His Real Father

- Page Six: King Charles made ‘sadistic’ jokes about Prince Harry’s ‘real’ dad: memoir

- Radar Online: Royal Dad Debate: King Charles 'Demanded' Prince Harry Take Paternity Test, Suspects Major James Hewitt Could Be His Father: Sources

- The Independent: Harry claims William was ‘tormented’ over King’s relationship with Camilla