Wills and Kate dine at love shack

PRINCE WILLIAM spent an evening in a secluded log cabin with his girlfriend Kate Middleton at a Scottish getaway.

The prince and his girlfriend were alone for a "romantic" dinner at the cabin on the Balmoral estate. The two were said to be spending "quality time" together before the prince begins training as an RAF helicopter pilot.

He is to serve seven years in the RAF's search and rescue arm, after spending time with the Household Cavalry and the Royal Navy.

Today it was revealed that he and his brother Prince Harry have set up their own private offices within St James's Palace.

The move, which will be officially announced this month, reflects their desire for more independence in managing their royal roles, palace insiders said. Until recently their duties were looked after by their father Prince Charles's office, Clarence House.

But in October staff moved into their own rooms in St James's Palace and began reporting directly to the princes for the first time.

The brothers will start using their own headed notepaper shortly, incorporating their own crests. William, 26, and Harry, 24, appointed their first dedicated spokesman in September and have had a private secretary for several years. There are no plans to recruit more staff at present, aides said.

One courtier said: "William and Harry are now young men and want to have control of their roles. They are also taking on ever more duties and patronages and having a dedicated team has become more important."

William and Harry still rely on money from their father to finance their duties and the Duchy of Cornwall is funding the new office. William is president of the Football Association and patron of charities including Centrepoint, a homeless body with which his mother had a long association. Prince Harry founded Sentebale, a charity for orphans in Lesotho. He is also patron of WellChild, Dolen Cymru and MapAction.