Royal 'romance' dismissed as a lot of fuss about nothing (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Royal 'romance' dismissed as a lot of fuss about nothing

REPORTS of a possible romance between Prince Harry and a Great Somerford girl have been dismissed as "a lot of fuss about nothing."

Pictures of 20-year-old Niki Sturgis, of Great Somerford and the 17-year-old prince were taken at Cirencester Polo Club on Saturday as the pair visited a burger van.

The snaps were then published in a Monday's Daily Mail under the title of "Harry's lunch date".

According to the article, Niki and Harry shunned the champagne and canapes on offer in the hospitality tent, and opted for a burger instead.

However, Niki's father, Conservative district and county councillor Toby Sturgis, told the Standard that he gave the tabloid speculation short shrift.

"All I have to say is that Niki is one of a group of friends who go to polo.

"She does a lot of lunches for polo clubs as she is trained as a cook - that is her summer job, so it hardly surprising that she should be at a polo match."

Mr Sturgis said the fact that no-one was at home on Monday meant that assembled photographers came and went quickly: "I hope the story is taken in the spirit it is intended- it is a lot of fuss about nothing.

"Niki and her friends live in the same area as the two princes and both enjoy horses, so there is nothing remarkable about this.

"They are good friends who enjoy going to polo and happened to be there on Saturday."

Further reports on Tuesday claimed that Cllr Sturgis was a multi-millionaire, and that he and wife Gail were married after having their two eldest children.

"If I'm a multi-millionaire I would like to know where these millions are, and my children were all born in wedlock", said an angry Mr Sturgis.

Cllr Sturgis owns a large amount a land in Great Somerford where he grew up with Captain Mark Phillips, former husband of Princess Anne. Mr Sturgis is also a close friend of Prince Charles.

Niki, who has just finished her first year at university, declined to comment to the Standard.