Prince Harry reacts to claim he 'punched Prince Andrew in face' and 'called him coward'

Prince Harry has denied claims that he left Prince Andrew with a 'bloody nose' during a furious altercation, made in a bombshell new book.

The Duke of Sussexis accused of punching the Duke of York at a family gathering in 2013 after branding him a "coward" in author Andrew Lownie's new book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York. Tensions are said to have flared between theroyal pair after Harry was told of "something Andrew said" behind his back, he writes, adding that the relationship between the two has not improved over a decade since thealleged incident.

In a new extract from the book, Mr Lownie writes: "At a family gathering in 2013, Harry and Andrew had got into a heated argument, and punches were thrown over something Andrew said behind Harry’s back."

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In the book, which is being serialised by the Daily Mail, he added: "According to a source close to both men, Harry told him he was a coward not to say it to his face.

"Harry got the better of Andrew by all accounts, leaving him with a bloody nose before the fight was broken up."

The author also described Prince Andrew's relationship with both his nephews Harry and William as "problematic", with Andrew later said to have told the Duke of Sussex that his marriage to Meghan Markle would "not last more than a month".

Harry's representatives have denied both claims made in the new book.

In a statement to People magazine, a member of the Duke's staff said: "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."

The book also alleges that Prince William has been working behind the scenes to support Andrew's eviction from the Royal Lodge, the £31 million Windsor estate where the Duke of York lives with his former wife, Sarah Ferguson.

It follows multiple reported attempts by King Charles to have his brother removed from the 31-bed mansion, with the Duke of York appearing intent to stay put. Photos from earlier this year showed the property looking distinctly worse for wear, with black mould, damp, and cracked paintwork visible around the exterior, as well as the outbuildings and the gatehouse.

The Prince of Wales is said to have "long harboured" disdain for both Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, according to the book, and would look to evict the pair himself upon taking the throne should his father not succeed.