Prince Harry and King Charles III have long struggled with a strained relationship, marked by ongoing tensions that remain unresolved despite past attempts at reconciliation. One of the most painful aspects of their bond has been a cruel rumor that haunted Harry throughout his life—a claim that questioned his paternity. This rumor suggested that Harry was not Charles’s biological son but the result of Princess Diana’s alleged affair with her riding instructor, James Hewitt. However, new information from someone close to Princess Diana has finally debunked these claims.
The speculation around Harry’s paternity primarily arose due to his red hair and freckles, which many falsely attributed to Hewitt’s similar features. However, Princess Diana’s former hairdresser and close confidant, Richard Dalton, recently put these rumors to rest in an interview with Fox News Digital. Dalton clarified that the timeline of events made it impossible for Hewitt to be Harry’s father, as Harry was born well before Diana’s relationship with Hewitt even began. Dalton emphasized that Harry’s red hair came from the Spencer family genes—Diana’s own family line—where several relatives, including her brother Charles and her sisters Sarah and Jane, also had red hair.
Dalton further revealed how deeply these rumors upset Princess Diana, who saw the media’s speculation as a smear on both her character and Harry’s legitimacy. The constant gossip caused Diana great stress and frustration, as she struggled to protect her children from the damaging lies circulating in the press.
Harry himself suffered from the emotional impact of these rumors. In his memoir, *Spare*, Harry opened up about how his father, King Charles, would make hurtful jokes about the gossip. Charles would sometimes joke about the rumors, saying things like, “Who knows if I’m really the Prince of Wales?” or “Who knows if I’m even your real father?” Although Charles may have intended these comments to be lighthearted, Harry found them deeply painful, especially given the sensitivity of the rumors. Harry described his father’s behavior as “sadistic,” with the constant joking only deepening the emotional wounds.
The jokes became a reflection of the broader issues in Harry’s relationship with his father, contributing to feelings of alienation. As of now, the bond between Harry and Charles remains fractured. Although the two reportedly met earlier this year following King Charles’s cancer diagnosis, it seems their conversations have not fully resolved their differences. Charles made an effort to reach out to Harry on his 40th birthday, but it remains unclear whether this gesture will lead to further healing between them.
As Harry prepares to return to the UK in the coming weeks, many are watching closely to see if this visit could be a turning point for the father and son. Whether or not Harry will meet with his father during this trip is uncertain, but there is hope that it could be a step toward mending their long-strained relationship. The upcoming weeks may reveal whether the two can begin to close the gap that has kept them apart for so long.
