Royal wedding: Prince William slips off for a secret country stag -
When Prince William chose his brother Prince Harry to be his best man, he may have expected he would spend his stag party downing cocktails in the public eye at some of London's fashionable nightspots.
Instead, at the weekend he marked the end of his bachelor days with a low-key private party, thought to have been held at a friend's country estate outside London.
The party was attended by about 20 of the Prince's closest friends including James Meade, whom he met at Eton, and Thomas van Straubenzee who attended Ludgrove Prep School in Berkshire with the Prince
Hugh van Cutsem, one of Prince Charles's godsons, was also present.
His father owns a large estate in Norfolk, leading to speculation that it could have provided the perfect bolt-hole for a low-key event.
Guy Pelly, a nightclub owner renowned for his love of partying, is understood to have planned the stag weekend with Prince Harry. But as with all good stag nights it appears the details of what went on are unlikely to emerge. All guests were sworn to secrecy.
Mr Straubenzee yesterday declined to comment. He said: "I'm very sorry but I have got to keep it a secret. I hope you understand."
The Prince, who will marry Kate Middleton next month, had initially planned to spend the weekend taking part in a variety of watersports in Exmouth, Devon, including racing speedboats and water-skiing. The plans were cancelled, however, after they were leaked to the press.
Journalists had flocked to the River Exe hoping for a glimpse of the royal party. It was rumoured that Prince Harry had chosen the Turf Locks pub as the venue for part of the party.
Yesterday, as Prince William and his friends returned from the weekend, a source at St James's Palace confirmed that the event had taken place but refused to discuss any details. The source said: "I can confirm that Prince William's stag party happened this weekend. It was an entirely private event and we don't intend to make any further comment."
The Prince's desire for a low-key party was similar to that of his father, Prince Charles, who held his stag night within the confines of a suite at Whites, a gentleman's club, before marrying Lady Diana Spencer.
Shortly before his wedding the Duke of Edinburgh entertained some of his naval friends at a stag party at the Dorchester. The Duke and his friends famously smashed the flash bulbs of press photographers to ensure privacy. In 1986 the Duke of York thought he had escaped public attention by holding his stag at the Notting Hill home of Lord Lascelles, only to be gatecrashed by his future wife and her friends dressed as police officers.
Prince William's stag weekend was in marked contrast to that of Peter Phillips, his cousin and the son of the Princess Royal, in April 2009. The Prince arrived at the event by RAF helicopter with his brother before enjoying several drinking games in which he reportedly downed pints and dropped his trousers.
His own party would have been organised closer to the wedding on April 29, but pressing royal engagements meant it had to be held earlier.
Prince Harry is due to join a trek to the North Pole for disabled servicemen tomorrow, while Prince William has to return to RAF Valley in Anglesey, where he is serving as a sea rescue helicopter pilot.
Was a massive shame that they didn't go to Exmouth, it's a good night! Plus we hardly ever get famous people in Devon, let alone royalty. Maybe Harry can try it on his stag.
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