Prince Harry's spokesman has issued a statement rubbishing claims made by journalist Tina Brown regarding an alleged comment the Duke of Sussex made about his son Archie.
Ms Brown, who previously edited Tatler, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, alleged that Harry introduced Archie to the renowned primatologist as "my little African child."
According to the journalist, the Duke of Sussex's comments were referencing a sense of freedom and a dream that he and Prince Archie would live "off-grid", away from the pressure of royal life.
The duke's representative told GB News: "The Duke of Sussex has never said anything remotely resembling what is being claimed.
Prince Harry issues fierce denial of allegation he called Archie 'my little African child'
|INSTAGRAM: @MEGHAN / GETTY
"Tina Brown knows exactly what she's doing by inventing these words and attributing them to a highly respected woman who is deceased and unable to correct the record."
The former magazine editor made the allegation during an appearance on Katie Couric's YouTube programme, claiming the late conservationist had shared the anecdote with her over lunch.
Ms Brown recounted: "Jane Goodall, before she died, I had a lunch with her, and she said that she went to see... she was one of the only people outside the family that went to see Archie when he was born. And Harry said, 'This is my little African child.'"
The journalist clarified: "'It's going to be my child who essentially... you know... wild child, essentially...' They were going to have this time together living a life off the grid as it were."
Prince Archie frequently appears on Meghan Markle's Instagram | INSTAGRAM: @MEGHAN
Dr Goodall, the celebrated primatologist and animal welfare campaigner, died in Los Angeles in October from natural causes while undertaking a speaking tour.
Ms Brown suggested during the interview that senior royals had long anticipated Harry would eventually step away from official duties, though not in the manner he ultimately chose.
"I'm told that the Queen always thought that Harry would go off and want to be out of the Royal Family," she remarked, adding that the expectation was he would dedicate himself to wildlife conservation on the African continent and embrace a more secluded existence.
The journalist noted that nobody within royal circles foresaw the duke relocating to Montecito with Meghan Markle to pursue what she characterised as a celebrity lifestyle, rather than the off-the-grid path they had envisaged.
Prince Harry and Jane Goodall pictured in 2019 | PAThe duke and primatologist first became acquainted in December 2018, when Harry welcomed her to Kensington Palace for discussions about their mutual environmental concerns, forging a friendship that endured.
Following Dr Goodall's death, Harry and Meghan paid tribute to her legacy.
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The Duke of Sussex hugged Dr Jane Goodall at her Roots & Shoots Global Leadership Meeting in Windsor Castle | PA"Dr. Jane Goodall DBE was a visionary humanitarian, scientist, friend to the planet, and friend to us," the couple stated.
The Sussexes added that Dr Goodall's influence extended beyond her public work.
"She held our son, Archie, when he was first born, and showered love and care to those who were privileged to know her," they said. "She will be deeply missed."