Prince Harry polo friend in mourning

A close polo-playing friend of Prince Harry is in mourning today after losing his father in a skiing accident just two years after he lost his mother to cancer.

Company director Martin Hitchman, 54, lost control while skiing in deep snow on a black run in the Bulgarian resort of Bansko.

He hurtled headlong into rocks and never regained consciousness. He died in hospital in Razlog.

His twin sons, 20-year-old Edward, one of Britain's brightest polo talents, and Matthew, last night flew back to England from the skiing holiday - an early Christmas present from their father.

The twins' stepfather William Hitch, said neither twin saw the accident.

He said the family is devastated and added: "This has come after their mother, Annie, my late wife, lost a battle against cancer. Now they have lost their dad. Martin was divorced from Annie before she and the boys came to live with me but he was always a big part of their life."

Edward was a Young England team-mate of Prince Harry and played when they won the test match against Young Australia at Windsor last year. He also joined Harry in the royal box to watch the England side take the honours in the Rugby World Cup in Australia earlier this year.

Buckingham Palace sent its condolences.