DRINK AND DRUGS HAVE DOGGED ROYAL FRIENDS

Scandals involving drink and drugs have dogged many in the circle of
friends of Prince Harry and his older brother, Prince William.

Last summer, Nicholas Knatchbull, one of the Prince of Wales's godchildren
and William's "minder" at Eton, received treatment at a drug rehabilitation
clinic. The previous year he had been arrested and questioned by police
after he was found to be carrying a small quantity of cannabis.

William's friend Tom Parker Bowles - another godchild and son of Charles's
girlfriend Camilla - was exposed as a cocaine user two years ago.

The Prince of Wales was reported to have telephoned the then 24-year-old to
give him a severe telling off, calling him a "bloody fool". He was
reportedly banned from seeing William for several months, and ordered to
quit drugs if he wanted to remain part of his circle.

His cousin Emma Parker Bowles, niece of Camilla and another close friend of
William, admitted in 2000 she had been treated for drink and drug
addiction. She attended the same clinic where Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, royal
family friend and former "It Girl". sought refuge in 1999. She had been
battling a problem with cocaine and champagne, admitting on Frank Skinner's
chat show in April that year she was so drunk she did not know who he was.

She was later reported to have been barred from joining the Prince of
Wales's summer cruise.

There have never been any reports of Prince William drinking excessively or
taking drugs.