Royal storm approaching Clarence House

London: A royal storm is approaching Clarence House from across the Atlantic. The American television network NBC has got a scoop with an interview with Princes William and Harry ahead of the Diana memorial concert this summer, to be broadcast in July.

Paddy Harverson, Prince Charles's press secretary, made it plain to NBC anchorman Matt Lauer that he could ask William and Harry about almost everything but under no circumstances was he to put to them any questions about their girlfriends.

Naturally, this is exactly what he did want to ask. The princes' love lives were evidently far too tempting a subject for Lauer to leave alone and, disregarding instructions from Harverson, he asked William a question about Kate Middleton.

If it is broadcast it will be the first public comment William has made about her since theirrelationship broke up in April.

Needless to say, Harverson is hopping mad. The palace would not comment on the situation when asked and no-one at NBC was available to talk.