In August 2025, Britain’s royal family was once again thrown into the spotlight after a new biography claimed that Prince Harry punched Prince Andrew at a 2013 family gathering. The book alleged the altercation was sparked by insulting remarks about Meghan Markle. But Harry and Meghan’s team swiftly denied the claims and launched a legal pushback against media outlets repeating the story.
The Biography That Sparked Controversy
The claims originated in Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York by author Andrew Lownie. According to the book, Prince Andrew allegedly insulted Meghan by calling her “too old,” “bonkers,” and “an opportunist,” predicting her marriage to Harry would “not last more than a month.”
The book then alleged that Harry responded by physically attacking Andrew, leaving him with a bloody nose.
Sussexes Hit Back
Harry and Meghan’s spokesperson called the allegations “gross inaccuracies”, insisting that no such confrontation ever occurred. Within days, their legal team issued a formal notice to the Daily Mail, which had published excerpts from the book. The notice demanded corrections, retractions, or outright removal of the claims.
The Sussexes’ aggressive stance reflects their low-tolerance approach to stories they view as defamatory. They have previously taken legal action against British tabloids, securing retractions, apologies, and settlements.
Palace Silence
Notably, Buckingham Palace and Prince Andrew’s representatives have remained silent, declining to confirm or deny the story. Their silence has left the spotlight firmly on Harry and Meghan’s denial—and their lawyers’ moves.
Royal watchers note that silence from the Palace is common when dealing with controversial personal allegations, but it also leaves room for speculation to grow.
Legal Strategy in Motion
This episode is part of a broader pattern. The Sussexes have frequently turned to the courts to challenge negative press coverage. Analysts suggest this legal strategy aims to both protect their reputation and control their narrative.
While the legal notice was directed at the publisher rather than the author, experts say this signals serious intent: the Sussexes are willing to take on major media organizations if they feel their personal lives are being misrepresented.
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Wider Royal Fallout
The biography doesn’t just target Harry. It also mentions long-running tensions between Andrew, Harry, and Prince William. According to excerpts, Andrew allegedly made disparaging remarks about William’s wife, Catherine, and clashed with family members over his residence and finances after being sidelined from royal duties due to the Epstein scandal.
The book’s timing—just weeks before release—has fueled speculation that it was designed to maximize headlines. But with legal pressure mounting, publishers may be forced to revise or retract sections.
Public Perception
Public reaction has been divided. Supporters of Harry and Meghan see the claims as another attempt to smear the couple, while critics accuse them of overusing legal threats to silence unfavorable reporting.
For now, the legal process will determine how much of the book’s content remains in circulation. But the incident underscores how the Sussexes remain at the center of royal drama, even while living abroad.
