Prince of Wales tells of traffic fears for his biker sons

Published on Sunday 12 December 2010 14:46

The Prince of Wales has voiced his concerns about his sons riding motorbikes on busy roads.

Prince William, 28, and Prince Harry, 26, are both keen riders and own powerful machines.

The royal brothers, both in the armed forces, are said to ride their bikes at weekends when not on military duty or training, but their father worries they may not be spotted by traffic on the roads.

The heir to the throne revealed his concerns during a St James' Palace reception for pilots and ground crew from the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF).

Charles asked Oliver Beale, 19, an Air Engineer Technician with the CHF's 846 Squadron: "You haven't got a motorbike have you?" But before he could answer his step-father, John Hull, 56, replied: "He has got one but he's progressed to a car."

The prince replied: "I always worry about them. It's about other cars not being able to see you. I'm always telling my sons that."

William reportedly has a 15,000 Ducati 1198s - top speed 180mph - considered one of the ultimate machines for a weekend spin. His brother is said to own a 11,000 Ducati 848 - with a top speed of 166mph.

Talking to another group at the reception, Charles said: "I hate motorbikes. My sons are interested in them. I can't ever get my balance on them."

Mr Beale's mother Anne Hull, 45, a doctor's receptionist, said afterwards: "Prince Charles asked if Oliver had a motorbike.

"I said that he did and it was something they have to get out of their system."

Oliver, who is based with the CHF at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, Somerset, has a Kymco 125cc. He came off the machine 18 months ago while trying to negotiate a bend on a narrow lane near the family's home in Mosterton, Dorset.

Mrs Hull said: "He was probably going too fast. He's a typical young man. I can understand why Prince Charles worries about William and Harry."