Prince Harry denies author's claims he punched Prince Andrew leaving him with a 'bloody nose'

Prince Harry has rejected an author's claims that "punches were thrown" between him and Prince Andrew years before he stepped back from royal duties.

The story surfaced in writer Andrew Lownie's new book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York.

In the book, Lownie claims tensions escalated between the Duke of Sussex and his uncle after Harry learned of "something Andrew said behind [his] back".

It further claims the argument led to a physical confrontation in which "Harry got the better of Andrew" and left his uncle with a "bloody nose".

The alleged fight is said to have taken place over a decade ago, and Lownie writes that the pair's relationship has not improved in the years since.

Lownie also wrote that Prince Andrew told his nephew he was "bonkers" for marrying Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex, and that the marriage would "not last more than a month".

The claims have been refuted by Prince Harry's staff, who told People magazine: "I can confirm neither of those things are true. Prince Harry and Prince Andrew have never had a physical fight, nor did Prince Andrew ever make those comments about the Duchess of Sussex to Prince Harry.

“Nor did Prince Andrew ever make the comments he is alleged to have made about the Duchess of Sussex to Prince Harry.”

Extracts of Lownie's book have been serialised by The Daily Mail this weekend, and allege Prince Andrew has a "problematic" relationship with his two nephews.

The insider quoted in Lownie’s book further alleges that Harry told his brother William, now Prince of Wales, that “he hated Andrew”.