Prince Harry 'easy target' for press

The father of one of Prince Harry's closest friends has said that the prince is "a very easy target" for the press.

Interviewed on The World at One Alex van Straubenzee, whose son Thomas has known the prince since childhood, said that "more than anything he is a British soldier. He has a very, very good qualification in the job he does for the Army and I think this is what people will look at" and that what he called "tittle-tattle" will blow over.

His comments came after St James's Palace confirmed that photos, published on the US-based TMZ website showing the prince in the nude, are genuine.

It has also emerged that last year the prince drove to the aid of Thomas van Straubenzee, who was being mugged on a London street as he spoke to the prince on a mobile phone.