The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, has issued a public statement firmly denying allegations from a soon-to-be-published royal biography. The book, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York by author Andrew Lownie, includes claims of a past confrontation between Prince Harry and Prince Andrew, Duke of York, as well as reported disparaging remarks about Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
Prince Andrew’s Public Profile
Prince Andrew, born February 19, 1960, is the second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He has held the title Duke of York since 1986. In recent years, his public role has been significantly reduced due to controversy over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In January 2022, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince Andrew would no longer undertake public duties and had returned his military affiliations and royal patronages to the Queen. This decision followed sustained public criticism and legal proceedings involving Virginia Giuffre, who accused Andrew of sexual assault when she was a minor — allegations Andrew has consistently denied.
The Virginia Giuffre Case
Virginia Giuffre filed a lawsuit in the United States in August 2021 against Prince Andrew, alleging sexual abuse connected to Epstein’s criminal activities. In February 2022, court records show that the case was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum, with no admission of liability by Prince Andrew.
In a 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, Andrew denied any wrongdoing, stated he had no recollection of meeting Giuffre despite a widely circulated photograph of them together, and expressed regret for his association with Epstein.
Renewed Media Scrutiny in 2025
Interest in Prince Andrew’s public role intensified again in April 2025 following Giuffre’s death by suicide, confirmed by multiple news outlets including BBC News and The Guardian. Her passing prompted renewed discussion in UK media about Andrew’s previous public appearances and his ongoing absence from official royal duties.
Royal correspondents noted that Prince William, Prince of Wales, was not present at the Easter Sunday service at St George’s Chapel in April 2025, which Andrew attended. While Kensington Palace did not issue a statement regarding William’s absence, commentators like Charlotte Griffiths, speaking to GB News, linked it to wider concerns about Andrew’s public visibility.
The Palace’s Approach
Since the Epstein controversy, Buckingham Palace has maintained that Prince Andrew’s royal roles remain suspended. Public appearances have been limited to private family occasions or select events, such as the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and the coronation of King Charles III in 2023.
No official statement has been issued by Buckingham Palace regarding the allegations in Lownie’s book. The only direct on-record comment to date has been from Prince Harry’s spokesperson, refuting both the alleged physical altercation and the reported remarks about the Duchess of Sussex.
Prince Harry’s Public Role
Prince Harry, the younger son of King Charles III and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, stepped back from full-time royal duties in 2020 alongside Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. The couple now live in California and focus on charitable work through the Archewell Foundation, media production, and advocacy on issues such as mental health and veterans’ welfare.
Harry has previously spoken about family dynamics in interviews and his memoir, Spare, published in January 2023, but he has not included any claims of a physical confrontation with Prince Andrew in those accounts.
Public Reaction and Media Coverage
The publication of the book excerpt, followed by Harry’s immediate denial, has drawn significant attention in UK and international media. Coverage has emphasized the disputed nature of the claims and the lack of corroborating evidence beyond anonymous sources cited in the biography.
Media law experts have noted that high-profile public figures, including members of the Royal Family, often respond directly when published material contains allegations they consider false or damaging.
Why This Matters for the Monarchy
The ongoing scrutiny surrounding Prince Andrew remains a sensitive issue for the Royal Family. The introduction of disputed historical claims into the public conversation — particularly those involving other senior royals like Prince Harry — risks overshadowing current royal engagements and charitable work.
Royal historians, such as Professor Anna Whitelock of City, University of London, have observed that managing public perception has always been central to the monarchy’s survival. In her comments to BBC Radio 4 in past coverage, she noted that reputational challenges can have lasting effects on the institution’s standing.
Conclusion
Prince Harry’s swift denial of the allegations from Andrew Lownie’s upcoming biography underscores the seriousness with which he views the claims. While the book’s broader focus is on the Duke of York’s life and controversies, these specific disputed accounts have drawn considerable media attention.
As of now, the only confirmed facts are those contained in public records, official royal statements, and the denial issued by Harry’s spokesperson. The biography’s claims remain unverified, and no further comment has been made by Buckingham Palace or Prince Andrew.
Sources for Verified Information:
- Royal.uk – The Duke of Sussex
- Royal.uk – The Duke of York
- BBC News – Prince Andrew and Epstein
- The Guardian – Virginia Giuffre Case Coverage
- Us Weekly – Statement from Prince Harry’s Spokesperson
- GB News – Commentary on Prince Andrew’s Public Appearances
