Prince Harry has pushed back on explosive claims in a new book and alleged that he once got into a physical altercation with his uncle Prince Andrew in 2013. He also noted that Meghan Markle was later the subject of behind-the-scenes insults via PEOPLE.
A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex tells PEOPLE, “I can confirm neither of those things are true. Prince Harry and Prince Andrew have never had a physical fight, nor did Prince Andrew ever make those comments about the Duchess of Sussex to Prince Harry.”
The Duke of Sussex’s team also confirms to PEOPLE that legal action is underway: “Such are the gross inaccuracies, damaging and defamatory remarks made in the Daily Mail’s story, I can confirm a legal letter from Prince Harry’s counsel has been sent to the Mail.”
The denial comes in response to a new book, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, which alleges that a “heated argument” between Harry and Andrew broke out at a family gathering in 2013 over “something Andrew said behind Harry’s back,” reportedly escalating to the point where “punches were thrown” and Andrew was left with a bloody nose.
In a separate allegation, the book also claims that Andrew questioned Harry’s relationship with Meghan and labeled her an “opportunist” and suggesting the marriage wouldn’t last.
As per the book by author Andrew Lownie, with an excerpt published in the Daily Mail, tensions between Prince Andrew, and both of his nephews have simmered for years. It further alleges that Prince William, has worked behind the scenes to push Andrew out of Royal Lodge, the Windsor estate he continues to occupy, and has privately expressed disdain for Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
