Wednesday, June 29 2005 17:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Prince Harry, second son of Princess Diana, was made to undergo a DNA test to disprove rumours that James Hewitt, an Army officer with whom his mother had an affair, was his father, a media report claimed today (Jun 29, 2005).

In a fresh blow to the scandal-ridden British Royal family, the tabloid 'Sun' reported that Princess Diana was given the order by senior Royals after she confessed on TV to having an affair with Hewitt.

The DNA test confirmed that Prince Charles is Harry's father.

In her new book 'Diana: The Last Word', the Princess' long-time friend Simone Simmons said she was shown a letter demanding the blood test.

49-year-old Simone said Diana was upset over the whispers about parentage of his younger son, who had red hair like Hewitt, and for making his son undergo the test.

But she said, "At least having the test put paid to all the rumours."

According to the report, Prince Philip hit the roof when he heard rumours that Hewitt was "the father" of Prince Harry. But the young Prince, aged 11 at the time, was never told the reason for the test. His brother William was also tested, with the same result.

"Energy healer" Simone said Diana showed her a typed letter demanding the tests. It arrived following her Panorama admission about former Army officer Hewitt to Martin Bashir in November 1995. She would not confirm that Prince Philip was the author of the letter.