The Duke of Sussex reflects on painful comments while a close friend of Diana clears up long-standing speculation.
The relationship between Harry and King Charles has long been strained, with an ongoing rift still evident. At the heart of this tension is a particularly cruel claim from King Charles that has haunted Harry for years. The rumour, which speculated that Diana’s riding instructor, James Hewitt, might be Harry’s biological father due to their shared red hair, has now been categorically dismissed by one of Diana's close friends.
Richard Dalton, Princess Diana’s former hairdresser, told Fox News Digital that such an accusation is "not possible." He explained that Harry was born well before Diana’s relationship with Hewitt began, adding that red hair is common in the Spencer family, with Diana’s brother Charles and sisters Sarah and Jane all having similar hair colouring.
In his memoir Spare, Harry revealed how King Charles often made jokes about the rumours, which Harry described as "sadistic." According to Harry, his father would quip, “Who knows if I’m really the Prince of Wales? Who knows if I’m even your real father?” Although Charles found it humorous, Harry noted the emotional toll these comments took on him, particularly given the circulating gossip at the time.
The relationship between Harry and King Charles remains fragile, though the two did meet earlier this year following the King’s cancer diagnosis. Harry reportedly received a phone call from his father on his 40th birthday, but it remains unclear if they will meet during Harry's upcoming visit to the UK.
