William's night out with Camilla's children
by Nigel Dempster And Richard Kay
When Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles finally went public with their relationship at the Ritz last month, it was - despite the smiles - a rather tense and nerve-racking affair.
But when Prince William and Camilla's children Tom and Laura had their own evening out in London, fun and relaxation were definitely on the menu as they enjoyed themselves at two of the capital's trendiest venues.
The three, who have become firm friends, started their get-together at the Chelsea restaurant Foxtrot Oscar before moving on to K-Bar in the Fulham Road.
Once a family secret, their friendship played a pivotal role in Charles and Camilla's decision to acknowledge their love to the world.
Together with Prince Harry, William, Tom and Laura have enjoyed holidays together at Balmoral and the Parker Bowles children are regular guests at Highgrove, Charles's country home.
William, Tom and Laura were joined by Tom's cousin, Emma Parker Bowles - daughter of restaurateur Simon Parker Bowles - a girl friend of Emma's, and another companion as they started their evening out at Foxtrot Oscar.
William, who will be 17 in June, has become a regular patron of the restaurant, which is well away from the haunts of the paparazzi in the West End.
The six left at 11pm and went on to the nearby K-Bar.
It was 1.30am yesterday when they went their separate ways, promising to do it all again soon.
William has long looked up to 24-year-old Tom, and has previously invited him to his rooms at St James's Palace for coffee.
They became friends before William met Camilla for the first time last June.
'The fact that all four children get on well has been helpful,' said a friend of Charles and Camilla. 'It would have been much more difficult for the Prince's relationship with Mrs Parker Bowles if they had not.
'Both parents are rather proud that their children have hit it off so well together. Tom is a great source of fun for William because he is so unstuffy.
'He tends to be very direct about things. If he thinks someone around William is bad news, he'll say so.'
© Associated Newspapers Ltd., 26 February 1999