In the wake of Prince Harry’s widely documented altercation with a photographer outside a London nightclub on Wednesday night, Clarence House has appealed for a sense of balance by the media.
While the official attitude seems determinedly low-key – "He got hurt, he reacted. It’s as simple as that," announced a senior official – the 20-year-old Prince’s protection officers look set to bear the brunt of criticism, as their handling of the incident has been brought into question.
The Prince of Wales is said to be unhappy that Harry had been placed in such a confrontational situation, while, according to Buckingham Palace sources, the Queen is keen to see her grandson "protected". A senior Palace aide revealed that: "There is disappointment here that the situation was allowed to develop to the extent it did."
A protection department source was quick to leap to the defence of Sergeant Ieuan Jones, one of the officers present at the time, saying: "He is an extremely good officer who some here think has been placed in a very difficult situation."
Harry, who was driven away to a secret location five hours after the altercation and reportedly examined by a doctor, has apparently apologised to his father over the fracas. "Harry is contrite about the whole thing," said a senior police protection source. "He is extremely disappointed he allowed himself to be provoked in this way."
While the snapper involved in the scuffle, Chris Uncle, has contradicted Clarence House’s version of events – which insists the Prince retaliated after being struck – it seems unlikely the 24-year-old paparazzi will press charges.
Prince Harry left the UK on a pre-arranged holiday with chums the day after the incident.
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