James Hewitt denies he is Prince Harry's father as he says he feels sorry for the royal having to put up with rumours
Princess Diana's former lover has said he feels sorry for Prince Harry having to put up with rumours about his paternity.
James Hewitt, a former cavalry officer, said the suggestion that he could be the Prince's father are "probably worse for him".
He made the comments as he was asked directly by an interviewer on Australian television if he was Prince Harry's father.
"No, I'm not," he responded.
Questioned about why the rumours had persisted, he told Australian Channel Seven's Sunday Night: "It sells papers. It's worse for him, probably, poor chap."
Diana, Princess of Wales, had a five-year affair with Mr Hewitt, who was her riding instructor.
In a revealing Panorama interview in 1995 she said she had "adored" him and been in love with him.
Mr Hewitt told Australian television host Melissa Doye that Diana had "something special" about her.
He said they had spend time walking along the beach and cooking together, adding: "I think she was quite easy to fall in love with really so I think I can be forgiven for that."
Mr Hewitt has spoken publicly before about the rumours that he is Prince Harry's father, which centre around perceived similarities in the pair's looks.
He told the Sunday Mirror 15 years ago that Prince Harry was "already walking" by the time his relationship with Diana began.
He said at the time: "Admittedly the red hair is similar to mine and people say we look alike.
"I have never encouraged these comparisons and although I was with Diana for a long time I must state once and for all that I'm not Harry's father."
