Despite his reputation for being impeccably well-mannered, the Prince of Wales is facing noise complaints. A number of residents in London's upmarket Belgravia have banded together in a bid to block the annual Prince's Trust Party in the Park.
Homeowners in the exclusive neighbourhood say the rock concert, which is staged every year in Hyde Park, causes too much noise. The group, which includes three peers, is calling on the House of Lords to help them stop the event.
"The music is so loud that it can be heard from Marble Arch to Battersea," said Labour peer Lord Strabolgi. "It is causing considerable disturbance to people living around the park."
Prince Charles has given organisers the green light to move ahead with the gig, however, and Craig David and Atomic Kitten are both scheduled to appear before an audience of 100,000 fans on July 6.
"The annual Party in the Park is central to all our fundraising activities," said a Prince's Trust spokesperson. "If it didn't go ahead the charity would lose around £1 million in much-needed funds."
Across town in Richmond, meanwhile, Mick Jagger's son James has also been causing a racket. The 17-year-old threw a party at the weekend, and decided to place two large speakers on the roof of the house, much to the consternation of his neighbours.
The Prince's niece, Zara Phillips, had complaints of her own at the weekend. The young royal was competing at the Northampton Horse Trails when she found herself on the receiving end of some unwelcome attention.
While changing in her horse box, she noticed a group of paparazzi photographers trying to take her picture. According to a source at the event, Zara walked over to the four men and told them: "You think you're so clever but I can see you. It's no good hiding under trees – go away."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
