When Harry met Hewitt

Aug 1, 2006, 15:12 GMT

Britain's Prince Harry came face to face with his mother's former lover James Hewitt at the weekend - for the first time since he was a boy.

Hewitt walked into the VIP party where the 21-year-old prince was sitting with his girlfriend Chelsy Davy and started introducing himself to everyone.

But Prince Harry blanked Hewitt, refusing to look up from his conversation with Chelsy, and Hewitt deliberately avoided the table where they were sitting.

The uncomfortable encounter happened in the exclusive enclosure at the Cartier International Polo Tournament - the same event where Princess Diana famously presented Hewitt with a cup at the height of their affair in 1994.

An onlooker told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: 'They didn't speak, but Harry knew Hewitt was there. He was walking round talking to everyone, as Harry sat there smoking.

'Harry didn't look like he was having any fun at all.'

Witnesses claim Harry looked unhappy throughout the after party, despite being on the winning team, and ignored his friends' calls to come and dance.

At one point, the prince slumped his head wearily on his girlfriend's shoulder.

He later refused to have his picture taken with a royal fan.

Harry held the admirer's hand and told her: 'I'm sorry, I just can't. I'm really sorry.'

Harry and Chelsy eventually left the bash at 11.40pm, long before the celebrations were over.

Hewitt caused embarrassment and pain for the British Royal family in 2003 when he tried to sell hand written love letters from Harry's mother, the late Princess Diana.

Copyright 2006 BANG Media International