...for July 2002

July 19, 2002 -

• In darkened alcoves of Cotswold stone pubs and cosy restaurants, girls are vying for the attentions of Prince Harry, and when he's there, Prince William. These are the young women who are living out most teenagers' dreams rich and beautiful, they wear top designer labels and party like there is no tomorrow. And maybe, just maybe, their dance-floor flirt with the strapping, hunky polo player who happens to have a personal bodyguard sitting quietly at the bar, might one day mean that they will turn into a princess. The Cotswold polo girls are now fast becoming the most talked-about group of young women in the country. They live in places synonymous with tradition, wealth and good breeding: Westonbirt, Cirencester, Tetbury, Malmesbury. And life is a tight-knit whirl of stableyard, clubhouse and house partieswith the odd game of polo thrown in too. Like millions of youngsters dancing and boozing the nights away in the pubs and clubs of Britain, the polo set is all about a hedonistic lifestyle. But while other girls must return blearyeyed to their desks on a Monday morning, for the polo set, the party rarely stops. It is in this atmosphere of beauty and good times that William and Harry are making their transition into adulthood. The two are blessed with good looks, humour and natural ability on the polo field. Indeed, the girls tell themselves, the princes are such nice chaps that they would be at the centre of things even if they did not have royal connections. Both have an eye for the ladies no surprise when most of the time a girl is trying to catch theirs. The polo set is made up of girls from three different areas farmers' daughters from the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, the horsey set from the Cotswolds and the offspring of members of the Cirencester Park Polo Club and the Beaufort Polo Club in Westonbirt. The likes of Nina Vestey and Claire Tomlinson come from the upper echelons of Cotswold life. But some in the new generation of polo girls are far removed from the high society of London. Farmers' daughters, horsey village girls and students get just as much of a look-in as the daughters of peers. Other girls fall somewhere in the middle. Their fathers are players in the polo set or the horse world of the Cotswolds. They are from established families, but might lack the aristocratic origins. And as Harry and William continue to enjoy the delights of the polo set, the thoughts of those behind-the-scenes palace courtiers are sure turn to suitable princesses for their handsome princes. According to one source close to the party set, the princes are just out to enjoy themselves but are learning to be careful. "They are coming to grips with the fact that if they do get into a serious relationship with a girl, people will find out and whoever that girl is, she will suddenly be famous. It could be hard to cope with. "They have seen even when pictured with a girl who is just a good friend like Nikki Sturgis she is suddenly all across the papers. "The problem is there are a lot of wannabes keen to get close to the princes just for the attention. The nice girls, the ones already in the set, might be frightened away from the princes for the same reason." Prince William is understood to be very keen on protecting his private life, ruthlessly checking his circle of friends for anyone who might leak information. He has even been known to plant stories with friends to see if the gossip ends up in the newspapers or magazines. If it does, that friend rapidly knows about it. This is borne out by his success in hiding his first serious relationship with Arabella Musgrave. They dated for most of last summer, with only a few close friends knowing the extent of the courtship. Rewind to the summer of 1971 and the young Prince Charles, still sweating from his exertions on the polo field, chatting intimately with a young girl in the polo set. Her name was Camilla Shand and she was bright and bubbly just the sort of girl now vying for the princes' affections as they step off the polo field. But wary of commitment, the Prince did not propose, and Camilla married Andrew Parker-Bowles. Whether the girl who grows up to be Queen has already been snapped larking about with her prince remains to be seen.
  
  
• The English shires are echoing to the delicate tinkle of breaking hearts. "Hunky" (??? I think not...lol) Hugh Van Cutsem - close friend of Prince William and one of the most eligible young men in the land - has been taken off the market. His new girlfriend is 23-year-old Rose Astor, daughter of the Oxfordshire landowner David. "Hugh and Rose met at a wedding in Scotland a couple of months ago," says a friend. "They've been inseparable ever since. Hugh obviously has no shortage of admirers - neither do his brothers - but it looks like this could be the one." The couple attended Tatler magazine's "100 Most Invited" party, organised by Table Talk, on Wednesday. "Yes, we are going out," confirmed Rose. "It's all quite new, but beyond that, I'm afraid I won't say anything." Rose, a graduate of Edinburgh University, studied film-making in Paris last summer and is looking to break into the film industry. From The Telegrap.co.uk. Photos...not the one in the grey suit is William van Cutsem not "Hugo" as labelled.
  
  
• After the unwelcome reports of his attendance at last Friday's Beaufort Polo Club disco, Prince Harry is to continue his summer holidays in an altogether more discreet setting. For the third year running, the prince will decamp with friends to the tiny Cornish seaside village of Rock - known as Kensington-on-sea on account of its popularity with public school pupils - for a two- week holiday later this month. This year, however, I fear that the resort may not quite live up to expectations. Village elders have banned drinking in public, while the notorious Mariners Arms, famed as a haunt of rowdy teenagers, has been relaunched as an upmarket wine bar. "There are huge signs all over the place, saying that anyone caught drinking on the beach will be fined," says one recent visitor. "The locals have also hired extra policemen to patrol the village, making sure that no one steps out of line. Anyone going to Rock to misbehave might as well forget it." North Devon and Cornwall Police said yesterday that unruly behaviour would not be tolerated. "There was a problem of drunken and disorderly behaviour in the village," I'm told. "Now there are now two extra officers there, and a 100-yard exclusion zone around the Mariners Arms." A spokesman for the watering hole added: "We are now more of a wine bar than a pub. Anyone who is under age will not be served by our staff, and we will be asking to see photographic proof of age." From The Telegraph.co.uk.

July 17, 2002 -

• William's water polo coach has been suspended over booze binges during a trip abroad with schoolboys. John Osborne was disciplined and banned from coaching for two years after complaints about his drinking. He helps train the team the future king plays for at St Andrews University. He is one of the top names in the sport and was also coach of the Scottish junior team. But his reputation is now in tatters following a trip with the Scottish Amateur Swimming Association Under-18 water polo team to Malta. Yesterday, a spokesman for the SASA said Osborne had been banned because they took the issue of child protection "very seriously". The ban followed the board hearing allegations about Osborne's behaviour during the tour of the Mediterranean island in July last year. He was alleged to have been drunk on two separate occasions and missed training sessions, leaving the party of schoolboys unsupervised. SASA technical director Alan Lynn said: "On the basis of reports from that particular trip, the water polo committee undertook an investigation and the findings were that the behaviour of the staff member concerned was inappropriate and that a two-year ban should be imposed." While the SASA is the umbrella group for various water sports in Scotland its jurisdiction does not cover the St Andrews University. Mr Lynn added: "The university has nothing to do with SASA, but Mr Osborne was involved with the national team as junior team coach. "The trip concerned involved the Under-18s. "We take the issue of child protection very seriously and we are about to launch a campaign to help our coaches deal with youngsters." Last night, one concerned parent said: "I think this sort of person being involved with the future king is totally unsuitable. Is it right that our children are taught in school by people of such low moral standing?" Under Osborne's coaching, Prince William has become one of St Andrews's top players. In only his first year at the uni, the 19-year-old has become a key part of the team. In May he won an award for his skills at the sport he learned at Eton. William was one of 15 members of the university squad to receive sports colours from the Athletic Union. The prince, who on his 18th birthday listed water polo as one of his favourite hobbies, was listed as "William Wales" in the list of winners. He was once described as a "big lump of a fellow" by players unaware of their battling opponent's identity. Hamilton Water Polo Club had a tough match at St Andrews and one particular player gave the Lanarkshire team problems. Coach Hartley MacGibbon said after the match last November: "He got stuck right in and wasn't holding back in his tackles." It was not until after the match - which Hamilton won 5-2 - that they discovered the tough No5 was the dare-devil royal. Mr MacGibbon added: "If no one had told us we would never have known it was Prince William. "None of the lads was giving him any special treatment." Action man Wills has a reputation for enjoying extreme sports. He rock-climbs and two years ago completed a gruelling triathlon. He has long enjoyed water polo and after playing regularly at Eton showed the promise of being able to compete at the highest level. Even before his arrival at St Andrews last year, Scots clubs were keen to sign him. Portobello, which plays at Edinburgh's Commonwealth Pool, even offered to waive their £300 membership fee for Britain's most famous player's signature. But so far, William has stayed loyal to his university team, regularly taking part in training sessions and matches. Last night, a St Andrews University spokesman declined to comment. From The Daily Record.
  
  
• Prince William is clearly getting into the swing of things at St Andrews, as he has set up an exclusive dining club for himself and his friends. The 20-year-old prince, who at first found it difficult to settle in, has founded the club with 20 ex-Eton pals. 'One of the main reasons for setting up the club is so that Prince William has a close group of friends he can trust and let his hair down with,' said a Scottish source. Earlier in the year, it was reported that William, lonely at St Andrews, was considering moving to Edinburgh University – but, having changed his degree from History of Art to Geography and having moved out to a shared flat, the prince now looks happier where he is. 'It's primarily a dining club but they're also planning some major fundraising initiatives,' adds said source. 'It's unlike many other university dining clubs because the aim isn't simply to drink vast quantities. They've already had a few get-togethers.' From Peoplenews.com.

July 15, 2002 -

• Prince William has had his first serious girlfriend. Friends say he secretly dated Arabella Musgrave but called the affair off because of the pressure of conducting a long-distance relationship. The prince met the brunette three years ago on the polo circuit. Friends of Arabella, 20, say the pair got together romantically last June but the relationship fizzled out when he went to St Andrews University in October. Friends say the 20-year-old prince began seeing Arabella again at the time he was wrestling with the question of whether he was happy to continue studying history of art in the quiet Scottish seaside town. William had been coming home fortnightly and in March he came home three times in less than four weeks. But now that he has resolved to stay at St Andrews he has also decided that he is not ready for commitment. Arabella, meanwhile, does not want to share his affections and, worried about William's roving eye, has agreed they should be just good friends. On Sunday night sources at St James's Palace confirmed the liaison but insisted it was over by the time he began his studies in Scotland. The pair conducted their secret romance near Arabella's family home in the Cotswolds and at the nearby Cirencester Park Polo Club where her father, Major Nicholas Musgrave, is the manager. She is a well-known face among the young polo set and is a close friend of Guy Pelly, one of the Highgrove set who was blamed for introducing Prince Harry to cannabis. The Prince of Wales gave the relationship his blessing and the couple enjoyed quiet weekends in the Cotswolds, drinking at the Tunnel House pub in the village of Coates, 3km from Cirencester. A source said on Sunday night: "Arabella is a very pretty girl. She is county-set and has the looks that William likes. The prince's detectives were told to put him on a pretty long leash when he was seeing Arabella. There was no attempt to stop it, probably because no one thought it would have much of a future. She fits the egalitarian, ordinary profile of some of the kids the Prince met at Eton." Arabella, who lives in London, plans to go abroad later this year but friends say the real reason it finished was because William is reluctant to get into a serious relationship. A friend said on Sunday: "William is known to be quite a ladies' man. He thinks he's too young to settle into anything serious. "What he really wants is to have a bit of fun. He's very handsome and his looks get him a lot of female admirers to which he certainly has no objections."
  
  

July 14, 2002 -

• Five years after he promised in his Westminster Abbey eulogy that he would do his best to prevent his nephews, William and Harry, from being "immersed by duty and tradition", Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer, has accused the royal family of trying to limit contact between the princes and Diana's family. In an exclusive interview, Earl Spencer, who was named by Diana in her will as her children's guardian, declined to say how often he saw the boys. He said: "What I can say is that they may not be encouraged to stay in touch with their mother's side of the family." A spokesman for St James's Palace declined to comment, saying: "We consider that to be a private family matter." Relations between Earl Spencer and the palace have been icy since he pledged before a TV audience of several hundred million that the princes' "blood family" would continue "the imaginative, loving way in which you were steering these two exceptional young men". He says he has spoken to Prince Charles just once since the funeral. Earl Spencer also claimed he had been tricked into letting the princes, then 15 and 12, walk behind Diana's coffin en route to Westminster Abbey. He said he had initially opposed the plans but was told by palace officials that William and Harry wanted to take part. "I now know that's not true... I thought that was where tradition and duty went too far against human nature." Critics have suggested that the earl has exploited Diana's memory by creating a museum to her at Althorp and that he has overstated his relationship with the princes. His brief tenure as a popular hero after the speech, which also attacked media intrusion, was cut short by a bitter divorce battle with his first wife, Victoria Lockwood. He says he is speaking openly now because "I think it's time for me to put a line under being the man who made the speech at his sister's funeral and to have my say about some of the misrepresentations that were the fallout from it". He said one of the reasons for the success of the jubilee celebrations was that the palace had adopted "a more Diana-orientated way of doing things". Another aspect of her legacy, he added, would be that William would be allowed to marry who he chooses. A spokesman for St James's Palace said any discussion about who William might marry was premature. From The Guardian.co.uk.
  
  
• Harry has been caught in a drinking scandal again after he apparently consumed the equivalent of nine shots of vodka at a charity event. The 17-year-old royal is said to have drunk six bottles of Smirnoff Ice pre-mixed drink – equivalent to nine shots of vodka – during a charity fundraiser for the Animal Health Trust at the posh Beaufort Polo Club in Wiltshire. The incident throws Harry back into the spotlight for drinking indiscretions. Earlier in the year, he admitted to underage drinking and smoking cannabis. Royal publicists went into overdrive in a bid to defend the young prince on Saturday after the incident sparked a media frenzy. A spokeswoman for St James' Palace said the latest revelation had been "blown out of all proportion". "He was at a private party and had a couple of drinks," a spokeswoman said. 'He has not done anything illegal." After the underage drinking episode in January, the Prince of Wales was apparently furious with his youngest son. Charles made sure he was a greater presence in his son's life and encouraged the heir to the throne, Prince William, to spend more quality time with his younger brother. "His father and Prince William have certainly been around a lot more," said the spokeswoman. Harry is also developing a keen interest in the fairer sex. At the same charity event, he was spotted with a young, blonde companion who was wearing no shoes. The girl, dressed in a blue polo shirt and jeans, was seen waiting outside the pavilion at the club. Harry was then seen throwing a pair of blue deck shoes at the girl. "I will see you later," he said to her as he waved goodbye. A report on the latest incident also alleged that traces of cocaine were discovered by undercover reporters in the toilets after Friday night's party. "We are not aware this involves Prince Harry," said the palace spokeswoman. Meanwhile new reports claim that Prince William, 20, has had his first serious girlfriend – but has been told to get on his bike. Friends say he secretly dated brunette Arabella Musgrave, 20, but they called the affair off because of the pressure of conducting a long-distance relationship. The Prince met Arabella three years ago on the polo circuit. Friends of Arabella say the pair got together romantically last June but the relationship fizzled out when he went to St Andrews University in October. Friends say the Prince began seeing Arabella again while he was debating whether to continue studying history of art in the quiet Scottish seaside town. Arabella decided they should remain just friends because she is worried about William's roving eye. Last night sources at St James' Palace confirmed the liaison but insisted it was over. Thanks to Debbie for this story.

July 13, 2002 -

• Harry turned royal footman yesterday as he teased a pretty girl without her shoes at a polo match. The 17-year-old spotted the loafers hidden behind a fence and nonchalantly waved them in her direction. The impish look on his face clearly suggested she might have difficulty getting them back. As his ruddy-cheeked friend walked over to reclaim her footwear, the not-so gallant prince tossed them away in the opposite direction. Harry gave a grin as she was forced to scamper off after them, with more than a touch of embarrassment. He was larking about on the sidelines of the polo event as he watched his cousin Zara Phillips play at the Beaufort club, near Cirencester, Glos. An onlooker said: "Harry was certainly enjoying the attention of the ladies and the feeling was obviously mutual." From The Mirror.co.uk.
  
  
• Harry drank at least nine shots of vodka at a polo club—while revellers snorted lines of cocaine in the Gents. News of the World investigators saw the 17-year-old consume six bottles of the alcopop Smirnoff Ice. Each 275ml bottle of lemon-flavoured drink contains one and half single shots of vodka. Harry held his drinking session on Friday night at the Beaufort Polo Club near his family home Highgrove in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. As the thrash was in full swing, News of the World reporters found two traces of cocaine on a level surface behind the toilet in a cubicle in the men's toilet. Nothing was found in the ladies' loo. Scientific tests later confirmed the presence of cocaine in the toilet sample and a discarded paper wrap found outside the club. About 100 wealthy youngsters were in the club for a disco which ended at 1am yesterday. Prince William was also there, but he stayed only a short while and drank only mineral water. Harry had turned up at the clubhouse shortly before 10pm, casually dressed in jeans and a blue sports jacket with Twelve Oaks emblazoned on the back. He arrived with a close chum and sat at a table in a dark corner with male and female friends. The prince soon started knocking back bottles of Smirnoff Ice, which is 5.5 per cent alcohol by volume. He was quickly laughing and enjoying himself, hugging friends close to the dance floor. As Harry sat drinking, a pretty blonde-haired girl came over and sat on his knee. She put her arms around his neck and the cosy couple whispered and giggled together. Minutes later they got up and went outside. They went round the back of the clubhouse and sat in a red Volkswagen Golf. Harry's Special Branch minders were a discreet distance away in a dark coloured 4x4. The girl was one of several pretty admirers the prince spent time with during the evening. Unless there was a girl on his lap Harry found it difficult to sit still. Instead, the livewire prince mingled with the crowd or ducked out of the clubhouse to get some fresh air. Each time he left the room he looked round to see if anyone had followed. At the rear of the building there were always one or two girls waiting. Before speaking to them the cautious prince ducked down below the level of the parked cars' roofs in a bid to escape prying eyes. Prince William, 20, arrived at the dance half an hour after his younger brother. Wills took little notice as girls tried to flirt with him and he left at midnight. Princess Anne's daughter, Zara Phillips, was another late arrival, turning up with jockey boyfriend Richard Johnson. Like Harry, she drank bottles of Smirnoff Ice. One partygoer told our investigators: "Harry always enjoys himself. He likes a drink with his pals and has an eye for the girls. But at the end of the day he's just a normal 17-year-old lad." Medical experts said yesterday that Harry had drunk enough to blur his vision, slur his speech and slow his reaction times. And though nine vodkas is not massive for some adult drinkers, Harry's pattern of boozing since his early teens is cause for concern. At the time of the disco the Prince of Wales was at nearby Highgrove with his lover, Camilla Parker Bowles. The news of Harry's excessive drinking will again shock his father Prince Charles. In January the News of the World revealed Harry regularly smoked cannabis and got drunk at the Rattlebone Inn in Sherston, Gloucs. The young prince told his father he would improve his behaviour. Charles will also be extremely concerned by our discovery of traces of cocaine in the men's toilet. To stop Harry using cannabis Charles sent him to a London addiction clinic to see the dangers of drugs and heavy drinking. Charles changed his schedule to spent more time with his troubled son. A friend said: "Nowadays Charles is with Harry every weekend. Harry is still very much on probation after his earlier troubles." Yesterday William and Harry were at Tidworth, Wilts—playing in opposing teams for a comic polo match on bicycles. They both received bottles of champagne. William's team included 28-year-old Emma Tomlinson, whose parents, Captain Simon Tomlinson and wife Claire, own the Beaufort Polo Club. From News of the World.
  
  
• Royal aides are defending Prince Harry over revelations he downed vodka at a party. The 17-year-old royal is reported to have drunk six bottles of Smirnoff Ice - equivalent to nine shots of the liquor. The News of the World reports he drank the vodka on Friday evening at the Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire. The latest controversy comes just months after Harry admitted underage drinking in a pub and smoking cannabis. But St James's Palace says the latest revelation has been "blown out of all proportion". The palace would not comment on allegations that traces of cocaine were discovered by undercover reporters in the toilets after the party. "We are not aware that this involves Prince Harry," said the spokeswoman. A spokeswoman said: "He was at a private party and had a couple of drinks. He has not done anything wrong. He has not done anything illegal." It was said after the underage drinking episode in January the Prince of Wales was planning to see more of his youngest son to ensure there was no repeat. The spokeswoman said: "His father and Prince William have certainly been around a lot more."
  
  
• Princes William and Harry got on their bikes today to help their royal cousin Zara Phillips raise money for charity. Swapping polo ponies for cycles, the princes wobbled around on a field as they tried to score goals while keeping control. With one hand on the handlebars and the other clutching a polo mallet, they pedalled furiously on their dilapidated rustbuckets as onlookers laughed at the comic scene. The royals were persuaded to take part in the fun match at Tidworth, Wiltshire, by Miss Phillips. Princess Anne's daughter is a regular at the annual event, which raises funds for Inspire, a charity dedicated to research into spinal cord injuries. As the contest got under way in the sunshine, Prince Harry, rode out with Emma Tomlinson, whose parents, Captain Simon Tomlinson and his wife Claire, own the Beaufort Polo Club. But the young prince soon fell behind when his old bike let him down. As the other players zoomed off, Harry was left pedalling hopelessly as the chain temporarily failed to work. Later, brotherly rivalry came into play as William and Harry, on opposite teams, clashed more than once on the field. At times, the eight contenders rode their bikes into a rugby-style scrum, causing half of them to fall off.

July 8, 2002 -

• Prince William may have won over a legion of female fans, but his status as the teenagers' undisputed heart-throb at St Andrews University is now under threat from the arrival of a 20-year-old American actor. According to the Mail on Sunday, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, the star of long-running sitcom Home Improvement, is due to study at the campus this year. Thomas has appeared in Ally McBeal and was allegedly at the centre of a spat for his affections between singers Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. The newspaper adds that some say Thomas and the prince look remarkably alike. From The Scotsman.

July 2, 2002 -

• William stood at his father’s side yesterday as he attended his first Royal garden party. Despite mingling with guests, the princes were at pains to keep their distance from another notable attendee - Camilla Parker Bowles. The young prince was undoubtedly the star of the Golden Jubilee party, hosted in the Queen’s absence by the Prince of Wales, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. On holiday after his first year at St Andrews University, Prince William, 20, personally asked to attend the annual garden party to thank Scottish people for making him feel welcome. Wearing a black tailcoat, blue shirt, yellow dotted tie, and carrying a top hat and rolled up umbrella, the young prince laughed with many of the 4,000 guests, drawn from all walks of life, who immediately took him to their hearts. In contrast, Mrs Parker Bowles kept a low profile, emerging on to the steps of Holyroodhouse minutes after the two princes before hurrying to the side of the crowd, where she briefly chatted to friends before disappearing back indoors. Mrs Parker Bowles, who was wearing a linen jacket and cream linen dress with a large hat flourishing a pheasant feather, spoke briefly to a group of disabled guests but at no stage during the two-hour teatime party did she come near the princes. Prince William told guests he was very much enjoying his time at St Andrews University and had even been brave enough to go water-skiing in the cold North Sea. One guest, Jim Coubrough, 38, from Ayr, said: "The prince said he was really enjoying St Andrews and was looking forward to next term. "He said he had been to the fishing village of Elie and that he had also been water-skiing. He was an excellent conversationalist. I asked him how he fought off the girls, but he just laughed that off." The prince also met female members of the Scottish world championship curling team, but confessed that he would probably fall flat on his face if he tried the sport. He also used the party to pick up some invaluable career tips first from a Scots Guards sergeant, who chatted about life in the army, and then a submarine chief petty officer who told the prince about life under the waves. William returned to Highgrove last night while his father, Prince Charles, known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland, remained at Holyroodhouse for the rest of his tour, which finishes on Friday. Earlier, Charles hosted an investiture ceremony which included knighthoods for Professor Graeme Catto, Professor Bernard Crick and Professor Alistair MacFarlane and an OBE for the Scottish rugby union referee, Jim Fleming.