Prince Harry has rejected allegations that he gave Prince Andrew a ‘bloody nose’ during a heated confrontation, as detailed in a explosive new publication.
The Duke of Sussex stands accused of striking the Duke of York at a family event in 2013 after calling him a “coward” in writer Andrew Lownie’s latest work Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York.
Animosity reportedly erupted between the Royal duo after Harry learnt of “something Andrew said” behind his back, the author claims, noting that relations between the pair have remained strained for more than ten years following the purported clash.
In a fresh excerpt from the publication, Mr Lownie states: “At a family gathering in 2013, Harry and Andrew had got into a heated argument, and punches were thrown over something Andrew said behind Harry’s back.”
In the book, which is being published in instalments by the Daily Mail, he continued: “According to a source close to both men, Harry told him he was a coward not to say it to his face.”, reports the Mirror.
“Harry got the better of Andrew by all accounts, leaving him with a bloody nose before the fight was broken up.”
The writer also characterised Prince Andrew’s bond with both his nephews Harry and William as “problematic”, with Andrew subsequently alleged to have informed the Duke of Sussex that his union with Meghan Markle would “not last more than a month”.
Harry’s spokespeople have refuted both assertions made in the new publication. In a statement to People magazine, a member of the Duke’s staff said: “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 book also claims that Prince William has been operating covertly to back Andrew’s removal from the Royal Lodge, the £31 million Windsor property where the Duke of York resides with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
This comes after numerous reported efforts by King Charles to have his brother ejected from the 31-bedroom residence, with the Duke of York seeming determined to remain.
Images from earlier this year revealed the estate looking considerably deteriorated, with black mould, dampness, and fractured paintwork evident across the building’s exterior, along with the ancillary structures and gatehouse.
The Prince of Wales is reported to have “long harboured” contempt for both Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, according to the publication, and would seek to remove the couple personally when he ascends to the throne if his father fails to do so.
