POLICE FEARS OVER WILLIAM'S FRIENDS

Police officers responsible for protecting Prince William are
understood to have requested advice from their superiors amid growing
concern about drug-taking among those in his circle.

The officers are said to have sought "clarification" about what action
to take over the use of cocaine by those who socialise with the
prince. Their move comes amid mounting concern in royal circles over
the growing numbers of reports that friends of William, 17, who is
still at Eton, have admitted taking cocaine.

The Sunday Times has learnt this weekend that yet another friend of
the circle with whom he associates has been seen taking the drug. Izzy
Winkler, a leading socialite, was seen taking cocaine at a fashionable
London party.

In a statement to the newspaper, a fellow partygoer said that he was
identifying Winkler because he was concerned about William's welfare.
Winkler was unavailable for comment yesterday, despite repeated
attempts to contact her.

Her alleged drug-taking follows disclosures last year that Tom Parker
Bowles, the 25-year-old son of Camilla, and one of William's closest
friends, had admitted taking cocaine. The incident reportedly led the
Prince of Wales to warn his son about the dangers of drugs. Another
friend, Lord Frederick Windsor, has also admitted taking the drug.

While there is no suggestion that William himself has taken drugs or
condones drug-taking, there is great concern about the behaviour of
some of those who call themselves his friends.

Security around the prince is so tight that there is little chance of
hard drugs getting through to him.

Protection officers responsible for vetting William's friends have
been checking out some of the nightclubs they use. Last night Scotland
Yard said concerns had not been brought to the attention of Commander
Peter Clarke, head of its royal protection division.