Is Chelsy a bad influence?

Prince Harry's ill-considered appearance in a Nazi uniform has once again focused attention on his girlfriend, glamorous Zimbabwean heiress Chelsy Davy. When Harry started secretly dating the blonde 19-year-old nine months ago there were those who thought her influence on the prince would be a positive one.

Prince Charles, for one, was reported as saying he approved of her and hoped she would be a "calming influence" on his son.

But others pointed out that Chelsy's circle of friends includes committed party animals who admire and probably encourage Harry's hellraising escapades.

Indeed, despite their relationship blossoming into a full-blown romance - to the extent that there is even talk of marriage - Harry's boisterous bachelor behaviour goes on unabated. From scuffles with photographers outside clubs and dodging his bodyguards to go drinking, to swastika-wearing at parties, he shows little sign of maturing.

A more fundamental question hangs over the relationship - does Chelsy's background make her unsuitable as consort for a prince? Since their affair became public last November several photographs of Chelsy modelling tight jeans and crop tops have been published, alongside her quoted desire to be "really, really famous". That cannot have endeared her to the Queen, who is understandably concerned about any potential members of the family spending too long in the glare of publicity.

Then there is the question of Chelsy's father, Charles. His links with the despotic regime of Robert Mugabe would cause grave embarrassment should he join the family as Harry's father-in-law.

Mr Davy is the founder of HHK Safaris, which represents a number of big game hunting and safari concessions in Zimbabwe. Mr Mugabe's minister of policy implementation Webster Shamu is one of Mr Davy's business partners.

Zimbabwe's shadow chancellor Eddie Cross said: "Shamu is an absolute hood, one of the worst. I would not even shake hands with him. Yet Charles Davy and his partner do business with him."

Furthermore Mr Davy seems to have managed to retain control of his farming holdings, estimated at one per cent of agricultural land in Zimbabwe, despite Mr Mugabe evicting thousands of other white farmers.

Mr Cross said: "We cannot burden children with the sins of their parents. But the truth is the Davy family's offspring have been given a life of luxury off the back of political patronage in a country where many suffer.

"It would be a sad day when the British royal family showed tacit approval for the business practice here."