Prince's key media adviser resigns amid palace tension

A key adviser to the Prince of Wales, who was seen as instrumental in assisting public acceptance of the Prince's relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles, has resigned.

Mark Bolland, 36, a former director of the Press Complaints Commission, was deputy private secretary to the Prince until last April when he set up his own public relations company.

But he remained an adviser to Prince Charles and Princes William and Harry, for which he was paid an estimated £100,000 a year. He is not expected to be replaced although he might continue to advise Mrs Parker Bowles on an informal basis.

Officially, the reason for the departure of Mr Bolland is because he wishes to spend more time working on his new company, but there is speculation of increasing tensions with Sir Michael Peat, the Prince's new private secretary.

Sir Michael is currently leading an inquiry into the aftermath of the collapse of the Paul Burrell trial.

Mr Bolland issued a statement saying his time at St James's Palace had been marked by "huge excitement and great sadness'' –– the latter is believed to refer to the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Sir Michael also issued a statement warmly praising Mr Bolland.

He became director of the PCC at the early age of 26 in 1992 and four years later became assistant private secretary to the Prince. He became deputy private secretary a year later.

Among several stage- managed events for which he was responsible, he orchestrated the first public photograph of the Prince and Mrs Parker Bowles as a couple, outside the Ritz in London in 1999, and worked assiduously behind the scenes to promote the idea of them as partners.