Imagine waking up to find the world questioning not just your identity, but the very foundation of your existence—your lineage, your father, your place in history.
For Prince Harry, this isn't just the premise of a dramatic royal scandal; it's his reality. Ever since he was born with his unmistakable ginger hair, rumors have swirled that King Charles III may not be his biological father. Instead, whispers have long suggested that Major James Hewitt, a dashing red-haired cavalry officer who had an affair with Princess Diana, could be the real father. But how much truth is there to this persistent rumor?
From the moment Prince Harry was born, the public couldn't help but notice something unusual—his fiery ginger hair, a rarity in the Windsor family. This sparked speculation, and as Diana’s affair with James Hewitt became public knowledge, the pieces seemed to fit together too well. Hewitt’s five-year affair with Diana reportedly began in 1986, two years after Harry was born. Yet, some conspiracy theorists suggest that Diana and Hewitt may have met earlier than officially acknowledged, raising further questions about Harry’s true parentage. The royal family has never addressed these rumors publicly, but in his memoir Spare, Harry himself revisited the speculation in an unexpected way—through one of his father’s offhanded remarks.
According to Harry’s account, King Charles once made a startling joke while recalling a visit to a mental asylum. There, he met a man who claimed to be the real Prince of Wales. In response, Charles reportedly quipped, "You can't be the Prince of Wales—I am the Prince of Wales!" That might have been a harmless anecdote, but what followed left Harry shaken. Charles allegedly added, "Who knows if I'm even your real father? Perhaps your father really is a ginger-haired cavalry officer, my dear son." Harry wrote that his father laughed heartily at his own joke, but for him, it wasn’t funny. At the height of the rumors about Hewitt, this remark felt less like dry royal humor and more like a cruel dig at a wound that had never fully healed.
Harry’s relationship with Charles has always been complicated. In Spare, he describes a father who was distant, more devoted to duty than to his son’s well-being. When Harry stepped away from royal life and moved to California with Meghan Markle, the divide between father and son deepened. Now, with Charles set to be crowned king, tensions have reached an all-time high. Reports suggest that Harry’s UK assets have been confiscated, a move that sounds more like a punishment for a dethroned monarch than for the son of the reigning king. Some believe Charles is preparing to sever ties completely, raising the question: Is this treatment just about Harry’s rebellion, or does the lingering doubt about his paternity play a role?
A DNA test could resolve this controversy in minutes. If Harry and Charles share the same DNA, the rumors would finally be put to rest. So why hasn’t it been done? Some speculate that Harry himself may not want to know the truth. Deep down, does he fear that the conspiracy theorists might be right? Insiders claim that Meghan Markle has encouraged Harry to seek definitive answers, believing that only then can he truly move on. But would a DNA test bring closure or ignite an even greater scandal, one that could shake the monarchy to its core? If a test were to reveal that Harry isn’t Charles’s biological son, what would that mean for his royal status?
If it turned out that Harry wasn’t a Windsor by blood, the implications would be staggering. Would he still be considered a prince? Technically, without royal lineage, he wouldn’t have a legitimate claim to his title. Would he be removed from the line of succession? While Harry has stepped back from royal duties, he is still legally in line for the throne. If he isn't Charles’s son, would his name be erased from that list? And if Charles always suspected that Harry wasn’t biologically his but chose to raise him anyway, what does that say about their relationship? Furthermore, how would Prince William react? The rift between the brothers is already deep—would this revelation push them further apart or bring them closer together?
The British monarchy has survived centuries of wars, betrayals, divorces, and scandals, but could it withstand a revelation of this magnitude? Despite everything, Harry is still Charles’s son in the public eye. He holds his title, he has been invited—albeit reluctantly—to the coronation, and he remains a part of the royal family, at least in name. However, Spare made it clear that Harry no longer sees Charles as much of a father. The emotional distance between them may be greater than any DNA test could confirm. It raises the question: Is blood truly thicker than water, or has too much damage already been done?
Whether or not Harry ever takes a DNA test, the rumors are unlikely to disappear. The speculation about Hewitt isn’t just about Harry; it highlights the monarchy’s obsession with bloodlines, legitimacy, and control over its own narrative. The British royal family has long been built on the idea of image above all else—hiding affairs, covering up scandals, and exiling problematic members when necessary. The idea that one of its highest-profile members could be illegitimate threatens that carefully constructed illusion. Even if a test proved beyond a doubt that Charles is Harry’s father, the fact that the rumor has persisted for nearly 40 years speaks to a larger issue: the monarchy's increasing struggle to maintain its grip on public perception in the modern world.
With King Charles’s coronation approaching, Harry faces a major decision. He and Meghan have been invited, but reports suggest they are demanding special treatment—balcony appearances, formal recognition of their children’s titles, and even an apology from the royal family. Many in the UK see this as tone-deaf. They left the royal fold, relinquished their duties, and have spent years publicly criticizing the monarchy. Why should they expect the royal spotlight now? The coronation will be a test: Will they attend and attempt to mend fences, or will they remain in California, making an even stronger statement about their detachment from the family?
Since leaving, Harry and Meghan have built a life in California, securing lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify. At first, it seemed like a fairy-tale escape, but cracks are beginning to show. Their Spotify deal fell through, and their Netflix series received mixed reactions. As their Hollywood appeal wanes, some wonder if they will regret burning bridges with the royal family—the institution that made them famous in the first place.
Can Harry ever return to the royal fold? At present, it seems unlikely. King Charles is reportedly fed up, and Prince William remains furious over Harry’s public betrayals. The Queen’s death could have been an opportunity for reconciliation, but the divide only grew wider. If Harry ever wanted to return, he would likely have to acknowledge his mistakes. The royal family values loyalty above all else, and without a show of genuine remorse, he may never be fully welcomed back. Moreover, Meghan would likely need to step back. Fair or not, she is seen as the driving force behind Harry’s rebellion. As long as she remains in the picture, a reunion seems unlikely.
At this point, the James Hewitt rumor has become part of royal folklore. Whether or not it's true almost doesn’t matter—because people believe what they want to believe. Even if Harry were to take a DNA test proving beyond doubt that Charles is his father, the speculation wouldn’t end. The monarchy thrives on mystery, and as long as the royal family remains one of the most secretive institutions in the world, the public will continue searching for answers, whether they exist or not.
