Prince Harry is reportedly taking legal action following the publication of claims about a physical altercation with Prince Andrew and disparaging remarks about Meghan Markle. These allegations surfaced in Andrew Lownie's new book, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, extracts of which were serialized in the Daily Mail.

The book alleges that Prince Harry punched Prince Andrew in 2013, leaving him with a bloody nose, after Andrew made disparaging comments behind Harry's back. It further claims that Andrew told Harry his marriage to Meghan Markle would not last more than a month, accusing Meghan of being an opportunist and too old for Harry. The book also paints a negative picture of Prince Andrew, portraying him as sex-obsessed, boorish, and privileged.

A spokesperson for the Sussexes has denied the claims, stating that Prince Harry and Prince Andrew have never had a physical fight, nor did Prince Andrew ever make the alleged comments about Meghan to Harry. Despite the denial, Lownie stands by his source, stating that they are reliable and close to Andrew, and had no reason to make the story up. Lownie also noted that he did not reach out to the Sussex team for comment prior to publication because his publishers didn't require it.

According to Newsweek, Prince Harry's legal team has sent a letter to the Daily Mail. The letter reportedly cites "gross inaccuracies, damaging and defamatory remarks" in the Daily Mail's story.

This wouldn't be the first time Prince Harry has pursued legal action against the British press. He has previously sued Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Mail on Sunday, for libel. In one instance, he accepted an apology and damages from the publisher over articles that claimed he had snubbed the Royal Marines after stepping down as a senior royal. In another case, he sued over an article about his quest for police protection when visiting the UK. However, he dropped a libel lawsuit against the Daily Mail in January 2024 following a ruling where a judge suggested he might lose at trial. Meghan Markle has also taken legal action against Associated Newspapers, winning an invasion-of-privacy case over the publication of a letter she wrote to her estranged father.

Prince Harry's willingness to use the courts to address perceived media mistreatment has been a consistent theme. He blames the press for the death of his mother, Princess Diana, and accuses the media of hounding Meghan. This new legal action signals a potential shift back to a more aggressive media strategy after a period of winding down previous lawsuits.

It remains to be seen whether the legal letter will escalate into an actual lawsuit. However, the situation highlights the ongoing tensions between Prince Harry and the British media, as well as the complexities of royal relationships and reputations.