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KATE GIVEN HOTLINE TO WILLS' SECURITY TEAM

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19 JUNE 2006

Prince William's girlfriend Kate Middleton took a step further into the inner core of royal life when it emerged that she had been given her own police radio. According to reports in the Daily Mail newspaper the high-tech walkie-talkie she was seen carrying at a weekend polo event is a £1,000 Airwave radio that allows instant access to the Prince's personal protection team.



"It is the most reliable and secure means of emergency communications you can get," said a source at telecoms firm O2, who supply the handset.

Kate and William met up on Saturday at Ham Polo Club, where the Chakravarty Cup was being staged. The second-in-line to the throne had been given special dispensation to attend by his Sandhurst superiors. The exclusive private match in Surrey raised £150,000 for worthy causes such as the Prince's Trust and homeless charity Centrepoint, of which William is a patron.

Up until now the 24-year-old royal girlfriend is said to have resisted offers of protection out of fears for her independence. It was also thought to be difficult to justify such a move using taxpayers' money while no official engagement had been announced.

Despite the new arrangement the brunette was the picture of relaxation, looking on admiringly as her beau showed off his horsemanship on the field. As ever she cut an elegant figure in a red polka-dot sundress with matching strappy wedges, and was clearly delighted when William's team rode to victory.