Charles's press aide faces tough job

The announcement of the royal marriage was not such good news for Paddy Harverson, the Prince of Wales's communications secretary. The smooth talking PR man and arch strategist had hoped to announce the royal nuptials at a time of his own choosing.

But Clarence House was hastily bounced into confirming the story after the Evening Standard broke the news yesterday morning. Royal sources say the wedding was only due to be officially confirmed, at the very earliest, after the Prince of Wales had returned from

his forthcoming trip to Australia. Harverson hastily called a press meeting at Clarence House at 11.15 to try and

restore calm and order to the situation.

"He was completely caught out by events," says one royal observer. "It is hard to believe that Clarence House thought the news would hold for another few weeks."

It has been a torrid few months for Harverson. Since taking up his ?130,000 a year role last February, with special responsibility for Princes William and Harry, he has spent much of his time on a oneman crusade defending the younger prince's reputation. He was hired by Sir Michael Peat, Prince Charles's private secretary , on the recommendation of former Sun editor Stuart Higgins.

The new press office under Harverson was to mark a change in press relations. The public had already softened its attitude to Camilla Parker Bowles, largely thanks to Harverson's predecessor Mark Bolland.

His combative style is in marked contrast to Bolland, who preferred to schmooze rather than confront or berate the press. But he is the Prince's choice as a guide through the rapids of public opinion. It has taken a long time for the subject of a royal remarriage to re-ripen. The Queen Mother , who was believed to be vehemently opposed to Mrs Parker Bowles marrying Charles, had died. The need for the relationship to be put on a formal footing was hastened by last year's fiasco about the seating plan at a society wedding.

In an unprecedented choice between mistress and family, Prince Charles had to pull out of his godson Edward van Cutsem ' s wedding because of his dismay at the way Mrs Parker Bowles was being treated.

Meanwhile, Harverson, 42, was working closely with her staff and especially her "image maker" and confidante, Amanda Macmanus.

Macmanus has been quietly savvy at altering Mrs Parke r Bowles's image from brazen mistress to woman of common sense. She oversees her charity work and together with another society friend, Blondel Cluff, has ensured a more appealing (and p h o t o g r a p h e r --friendly) wardrobe.

With her wide range of media friends supplementing Harveson's contacts, they have pursued a low-level persuasive campaign to make the idea of Charles's remarriage seem "a natural step"

rather then a wrenching break with tradition. On the Princes ' s side, Harverson has been a fire- fighter for both Charles - currently over the criticism of his large profits from the Duchy or Cornwall - and for Princes William and Harry.

He has had to respond to a series of bruising tabloid tales documenting Harry's excess partygoing, his ill-tempered encounters with the

paparazzi and, most famously, his attendance last month at a society party dressed as a Nazi storm trooper.

The son of an army colonel, Harverson previously worked on the Financial Times as a sports reporter and New York correspondent. He made his reputation at Manchester United enhancing the global image of the club and appeasing shareholders, fans and football writers alike.

A workaholic, he is currently undergoing a messy divorce from his American wife. He has, for the last 24 hours basked in the rosy glow of a romantic story. But for a public still in thrall to Diana, Camilla is still far from being accepted. Neither does the sometimes prickly personality of the Prince readily invite universal approval.

No one should imagine this will be an easy ride. Harverson will need all of his tough hide in the weeks and months ahead.