PRINCE'S FRIEND HAD DRUGS

A CLOSE teenage friend of Prince William appeared in court yesterday
and admitted possessing ecstasy tablets and cannabis.

The girl, 16, was in a car being driven by the Prince of Wales's
godson, Nicholas Knatchbull, 18, when it was stopped for speeding on
New Year's Day. Knatchbull, the great grandson of the late Earl
Mountbatten and William's unofficial guardian at Eton, was given a
speeding ticket. Police arrested the girl after a search of his car
uncovered an ounce of cannabis and two ecstasy tablets.

Patience Churcher, prosecuting, told Alton Youth Court, Hampshire,
that thegirl admitted the drugs were hers.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted possession
of a class A drug and a further charge of possessing a class B drug.
Magistrates were told she did not have any previous convictions and
gave her a conditional discharge for six months.

The teenager said: "I hung out with an older crowd who introduced me
to this stuff. I am not hanging out with them anymore because I
realise the stupidity of it."

The incident is expected to increase Prince Charles's concerns about
those who could influence his sons Princes William and Harry.

Tom Parker Bowles, 25, the son of the Prince of Wales's partner,
Camilla, admitted using cocaine last year and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson
was barred from Prince William's summer cruise last year after
revelations about her alcohol and drugs abuse.

Prince William's cousin, Lord Frederick Windsor, 21, has also admitted
using cocaine.