Princess Diana's hairdresser speaks out: New details on Prince Harry's alleged biological father

Princess Diana's hairdresser has weighed in on the ongoing controversy regarding Prince Harry and her riding instructor, James Hewitt.

Author
Shantanu Poswal
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Princess Diana Prince Harry (File Image)

After years of swirling rumors suggesting that Princess Diana's riding instructor, James Hewitt, might be Prince Harry's biological father, a recently published memoir offers clarity on the matter. For many, the similarities between Hewitt and Harry—particularly their ginger hair and freckles—fueled these persistent speculations. However, Richard Dalton, Diana's hairdresser and a close confidant of the late princess, has shared insights that challenge these claims in his new memoir, It’s All About the Hair.

Clarifying the timeline

In his memoir, Dalton firmly dismisses the rumors, stating, “It's not possible.” He elaborates, emphasizing that Harry was already born before Diana's relationship with Hewitt began. “Harry was born long before Diana even met James Hewitt,” Dalton asserts, clarifying that their relationship spanned three years, from 1989 to 1991.

To further support his position, Dalton points to the family traits within the Spencer lineage. He notes, “Harry and the Spencer family have red hair. Charles, Diana's brother, had bright red hair when he was in college,” highlighting the family resemblance that aligns more closely with the Spencer heritage than with Hewitt.

Princess Diana's distress

Dalton recalls that Princess Diana was deeply upset by the speculation surrounding her son’s paternity. He explains that the media's fixation on the rumors took a toll on her, as she often remarked on how the red hair was a characteristic trait passed down from the Spencer family.

While both Harry and Hewitt have previously addressed the speculation—Hewitt denying any possibility of fatherhood and Harry emphasizing his awareness of the timeline—the rumors have persisted.

A legacy of rumors

Harry himself has voiced frustrations over the intrusive nature of such speculation. In a written statement, he highlighted the inaccuracies regarding his parentage, noting, “At the time of this article and others similar to it, I wasn't actually aware that my mother hadn't met Major Hewitt until after I was born.”

In 2002, Hewitt also weighed in, stating, “There really is no possibility whatsoever that I am Harry's father.”

The combination of Dalton's revelations and Harry's own statements continues to shed light on a family narrative clouded by rumor and speculation.