Charles sacks senior courtier

London: Prince Charles has suddenly axed one of his most senior members of staff just three years after poaching him from his mother's team at Buckingham Palace.

The move, which is unprecedented in royal circles, came out of the blue, leaving respected career courtier Andrew Farquharson 'deeply shocked'.

The 44-year-old was in charge of the Queen's entertaining for ten years before defecting to Clarence House as Deputy Master of the Household in February 2006.

He is said to be so upset by his dismissal that he refused the prince's offer to work his six months' notice and walked out after being told last week.

The Queen, who held him in such high esteem that she made him a member of her own order of chivalry, the Royal Victorian Order, has been informed.