Prince Harry speaks about girlfriend Chelsy Davy

Sep 15, 2005, 15:04 GMT

Britain's Prince Harry has spoken for the first time about girlfriend Chelsy Davy in a new interview to mark his 21st birthday today (15.09.05).

The young royal has gushed about the 19-year-old South African beauty, who he has been dating for 18 months, saying she is "amazing".

He revealed: "My girlfriend is somebody who is very special to me and yes, she's gone through some very hard times. I would love to tell everybody how amazing she is.

"But you know this is my private life and once I start talking about that, then I've left my own self open."

Harry, who recently enjoyed a romantic holiday in Africa with the blonde beauty, also admits Chelsy gets upset at reports portraying her as a party girl.

He said in the interview, which he gave to Sky News, BBC Radio and the Press Association at his father, Prince Charles's, Home Farm in Gloucestershire: "I get to see how upset she gets and I know the real her. Unfortunately, I can't turn to people and say, 'Listen, she's not like that, she's like this.'

"But it's part of the baggage that comes with me, and she understands that and my friends understand that as well."

But Harry - who apologised for dressing up as a Nazi at a fancy dress party earlier this year - has confessed his reputation as a party boy is justified.

He admitted: "I am both the caring prince and the party prince. If that's a problem with anyone then I'm very sorry.

"Does everyone expect me to be just the caring prince and not to have a cigarette and a beer? I've grown up. Everyone's got to grow up. But there's something inside me, I'm always going to have that little child streak."

Copyright 2005 BANG Media International