Harry's apology to Charles

Prince Harry has apologised to his father over the nightclub fracas that left a photographer with a cut lip, sources said today.

While Clarence House has made no comment other than to insist that Harry was struck first in the incident outside a Piccadilly nightclub early yesterday, police sources say the Prince is genuinely sorry for his "instinctive reaction" to provocation.

A senior police protection source added: "Harry is contrite about the whole thing. He is extremely disappointed that he allowed himself to be provoked in this way. There have been a number of conversations at the highest level and there is a determination that something like this does not occur again."

Prince Charles is said to be "sympathetic" to his son's predicament at being stalked by the paparazzi.

But Charles, who has a close relationship with his younger son, is said to be extremely unhappy that Harry, 20, was allowed to be exposed to confrontation.

The Prince returned to his father's home at Clarence House after the fracas outside the Pangaea nightclub, but was taken to a secret location five hours later. He is understood to have seen a doctor but no evidence of any injury could be found.

Harry's personal protection officer Sergeant Ieuan Jones - pictured restraining the Prince outside the club - has been asked to file a detailed report about what happened. It will be studied by Peter Loughborough, Commander of the Royalty and Diplomatic Protection department. He will, in turn, report back to Charles.

But one senior protection department source defended Sgt Jones. The source told the Standard: "It was a busy night and day for Ieuan. He is an extremely good officer who some here think has been placed in a very difficult situation. We are used to being blamed for the failure of others. We have broad shoulders."

Chris Uncle, the 24-year-old photographer who suffered a cut lip, has reported the incident to police and is considering whether to make a formal complaint. If he does, technically Harry could face an assault charge, although that is looking increasingly unlikely.

The Queen is understood to be concerned. Senior Buckingham Palace sources say she wants her grandson to be "protected".

A senior Palace aide said: "Irrespective of who struck who first, which smacks of pettiness, the images of a member of the royal family being involved in an ugly altercation like this are extremely unhelpful.

"There is disappointment here that the situation was allowed to develop to the extent it did. It would be fair to say that there is a sense here that the sooner Prince Harry is under the umbrella of the armed services and starts at Sandhurst the better."

Officially Charles's communications secretary, Paddy Harveson, has only admitted that Harry had pushed Mr Uncle. But, after consulting the Prince's protection officer, he insists Harry was struck first.