Rupert Everett is disputing a claim made in Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare.
The Duke of Sussex’s book, which was published worldwide on January 10, contained many personal revelations, including the story of how he lost his virginity. Though Harry claimed in a new interview with The Telegraph that he lost his virginity “in a grassy field behind a busy pub” around 2001, Everett claims that things went differently.
The 63-year-old actor gave the interview on the same day Spare was published, according to the British newspaper. When the shocking book was mentioned, the star of My Best Friend’s Wedding refuted Prince Harry’s story.
“By the way. I know who the woman he lost his virginity to is. And it wasn’t behind a pub. And it wasn’t in this country,” Everett said “with a twinkle in his eye,” The Telegraph reported Thursday. “I’m just putting it out there that I know.”
“Amazing that he would know such a personal detail better than Prince Harry himself,” a source close to Prince Harry told the outlet.
The Duke of Sussex wrote about losing his virginity in Spare in a much-discussed passage. The royal stated that at the end of 2001, when he was 17, royal aide Mark Dyer paid him a visit at Eton. Meeting for lunch at a local café, Prince Harry stated that he was surprised when “Marko” arrived “looking grim” and stated that he came to learn the truth.
“I suspected he was referring to my recent loss of virginity. Inglorious episode, with an older woman. She liked horses, quite a lot, and treated me not unlike a young stallion,” Harry wrote. “Quick ride, after which she’d smacked my rump and sent me off to graze.”
“Among the many things about it that were wrong: It happened in a grassy field behind a busy pub. Obviously, someone had seen us,” he added.
Instead, Prince Harry stated that Dyer was sent to inquire about his drug use. A tabloid editor contacted the office of then-Prince Charles, claiming she had proof that he was, which Harry denied as false and defamatory.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE the week Spare was released, Prince Harry stated that he wrote his memoir to clear the air.
“For 38 years, countless media and others have told a distorted version of my story. I’m at a place in my life where I’m ready to share the truth about my lived experience, in my own words,” Prince Harry told PEOPLE.
“I’ve been working on this for the past two years and have poured my heart and soul into it, choosing each moment with care. It has been a privilege to be able to tell my story in my words,” he added.