James Hewitt’s ‘categorical assertion’ to finish rumours that he is Prince Harry’s dad
Rumours that James Hewitt is Prince Harry’s real father have circulated for years, but one convincing statement made by the former cavalry officer could finally put all the gossip to bed
Who’s your daddy?(Image: Getty Images)
Princess Diana’s former lover James Hewitt has always been dogged by gossip that he is Prince Harry’s father rather than King Charles – but one categorical statement he made could really put the rumours to bed.
The former cavalry officer, who is believed to have met Diana in the summer of 1986 after being hired to give her horse riding lessons, opened up on his relationship with the late Princess of Wales back in 2002. Hewitt declared that there was no way he could be Harry’s dad because the prince was born in September 1984 – two years prior to Hewitt and Diana reportedly meeting.
Hewitt told the Sunday Mirror that Harry was “already walking” by the time his relationship with Diana began.
James Hewitt has been dogged by rumours that he’s Harry’s dad(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
He acknowledged his and Harry’s similar features, including the read hair, but stated: “There really is no possibility whatsoever that I am Harry’s father. I can absolutely assure you that I am not.”
Hewitt, who was Diana Princess of Wales’s secret lover for five years, continued: “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.”
Hewitt and Diana reportedly met in the summer of 1986, two years after Harry was born(Image: Ron Dadswell/REX/Shutterstock)
Talking about pictures taken of Harry for his 18th birthday, Hewitt said: “Looking at the pictures I have to say he’s a much more handsome chap than I ever was.”
Hewitt is reported to have been very aware that questions concerning Harry’s paternity had been a major talking point.
Diana’s former police bodyguard Ken Wharfe also rubbished the rumours in a book, saying: “The malicious rumours that still persist about the paternity of Prince Harry used to anger Diana greatly.
Hewitt said Harry was already a ‘toddler’ by the time they met
“The nonsense should be scotched here and now. Harry was born on 15 September, 1984. Diana did not meet James until the summer of 1986, and the red hair, gossips so love to cite as proof is, of course, a Spencer trait.”
Hewitt was again asked if he was Harry’s dad in 2017 when he appeared on Australian TV show Sunday Night by host Melissa Doyle. When asked “are you Harry’s father?” Hewitt replied: “No I’m not.”
Responding to Doyle’s description of the rumour as “heart-breaking”, Hewitt responded: “It’s worse for him, probably. Poor chap.”
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