Prince Harry dismisses Spike Lee 'snub' claims as nonsense
Spike Lee declined Harry's handshake at the Knicks vs Spurs game on Saturday
Prince Harry's spokesman has firmly dismissed as nonsense claims that filmmaker and actor Spike Lee snubbed the Duke of Sussex during Saturday's NBA Finals game in San Antonio. The denial came after a video of the pair's encounter went viral, with many online viewers interpreting the moment as a deliberate slight.
The clip, widely circulated across social media, captured the exchange between Harry and the Oscar-winning director during the New York Knicks versus San Antonio Spurs match.
The handshake that divided the internet
Lee was seated near Harry when the Duke turned to greet an acquaintance in the row ahead. As Harry extended his hand towards the renowned Knicks supporter, Lee declined to take it, instead gesturing pointedly in Harry's direction while making remarks towards him.
Harry responded by placing his hand somewhat awkwardly against Lee's chest before eventually managing to grasp the filmmaker's hand for a brief shake. The light-hearted moment rapidly became a subject of online speculation.
The 'Spike Wells' connection
Some observers linked the encounter to a years-old controversy surrounding Harry's choice of an online pseudonym. During his relationship with Chelsy Davy, before he met Meghan Markle, Harry maintained a covert Facebook profile under the name Spike Wells.
Lee has previously acknowledged his awareness of this, revealing that he raised the matter directly with Prince William at a Bafta ceremony in London. "I said, 'I'd like to speak to you for one second. I have a message for your brother. Your brother used my name as an alias on Facebook. Can you ask him why he did that?'" Lee recounted.
William, during a period when the brothers remained on cordial terms, responded: "I'll pass on your message."
Spokesman pushes back
Despite the wave of online commentary, Harry's representative was unequivocal in rejecting the snub interpretation. Some social media users have suggested Lee may have been jokingly referencing the old pseudonym rather than delivering a genuine slight.
