DRINK AND DRUGS IN THE ROYAL CIRCLE

Scandals involving drink and drugs have dogged the circle of friends of
Prince Harry and his older brother, Prince William. Last summer, Nicholas
Knatchbull, one of Prince Charles'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
and given him a severe scolding, 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 admitted in 2000 that she had been treated
for drink and drug addiction.

She attended the same clinic where Royal family friend and former "It Girl"
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson sought refuge in 1999.

'Completely wrecked'

The latter had been battling a problem with "cocaine and champagne",
admitting on Frank Skinner's BBC1 TV show in April of 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.

Now 17-year-old Prince Harry has reportedly smoked cannabis in the grounds
of Charles' Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire, and drunk alcohol at a
nearby pub.

There have never been any reports of Prince William drinking excessively or
taking drugs. He is understood to be against drugs, although there have
been reports of a cigarette or two.

Before heading off to university, he joked that he was skipping fresher's
week in case he ended up in a gutter "completely wrecked".

Cherry brandy

As for the older generation - Prince Charles, who recently told
schoolchildren he had tried smoking but "gave up at the age of 11", was
himself once involved in an infamous underage drinking episode.

He was 14 when, during a school sailing trip in Scotland he and four other
boys were given permission to dock at the Isle of Lewis for supper and to
watch a film.

Charles led the boys to a nearby hotel, where he was surprised to find
himself in a public bar. He asked for a drink, and a cherry brandy was the
first thing that came into his mind.

The incident attracted international attention. Buckingham Palace staff
furiously denied the incident, before admitting it.

Charles has since said the words cherry brandy make him "wince".