Charles press aide quits to be with family

Prince Charles's press secretary is to resign to spend more time with her family.

Colleen Harris is the third senior member of the Prince of Wales's staff to leave in the last year.

In July last year, Sir Stephen Lamport, the Prince's private secretary, was replaced by Sir Michael Peat, one of the Queen's most trusted advisers. In January, after the collapse of the Paul Burrell trial, Mark Bolland, Charles's former spin doctor, said he would no longer act as a public relations consultant to St James's Palace. A few weeks later Michael Fawcett, the Prince's closest aide, was forced to resign over the sale of royal gifts.

Mrs Harris said there was "no scandal" in her departure. "It's been wonderful working for the prince. I've loved every second of it but I love my children as well. There's no scandal and no bad feeling. It's just time to move on," she said.

Mrs Harris, 47, has been press secretary for three years. Her resignation takes effect in the autumn when she will seek work elsewhere, possibly in the Government Information Service or in the private sector

"I want a job where I can be at home in the morning when my children get up and at home in the evening when they go to bed."