Harry's hot hatch: Prince takes delivery of 174mph Audi – but his first outing in it is across town to play football with friends

  • The Audi 5S5 starts from £59,350 - the Royal family are understood to benefit from leasing arrangement 
  • The 29-year-old enjoyed a game of football with his friends at Battersea Park in south London
  • Watched by three police protection officers, the Prince looked in great shape as he chased the ball
  • Both Harry and older brother Will are keen football players and every Christmas Eve play each other and staff

By Sam Webb and Jill Reilly

PUBLISHED: 19:35 EST, 20 March 2014 | UPDATED: 08:01 EST, 21 March 2014


He has spent the past year flying high in a helicopter but now he has taken on a desk job in London Prince Harry has swapped the skies for speed and taken delivery of a flashy new 174mph Audi.

Although his new toy - worth at least £59,530 - sets him apart from many other young men in Britain, the Prince then came back to down to earth by driving the gunmetal grey Audi 5S5 to an evening kick-about with a few close friends.

Last night Harry was seen playing football at a pitch in Battersea Park in the London Borough of Wandsworth on the south bank of the River Thames opposite Chelsea.

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He has spent the past year flying high in a helicopter but now he has taken on a desk job in London Prince Harry has swapped the skies for speed and taken delivery of a flashy new 174mph Audi

He has spent the past year flying high in a helicopter but now he has taken on a desk job in London Prince Harry has swapped the skies for speed and taken delivery of a flashy new 174mph Audi

Although his new toy - worth at least £59,530 - sets him apart from many other young men in Britain, the Prince then came back to down to earth by driving the gunmetal grey Audi 5S5 to an evening kick-about with friends including Tom Van Straubenzee, pictured, part-owns the Bodo's Schloss nightclub in Kensington and is married to Lady Melissa Percy

Although his new toy - worth at least £59,530 - sets him apart from many other young men in Britain, the Prince then came back to down to earth by driving the gunmetal grey Audi 5S5 to an evening kick-about with friends including Tom Van Straubenzee, pictured, part-owns the Bodo's Schloss nightclub in Kensington and is married to Lady Melissa Percy

The Royal family are understood to be benefiting from a leasing arrangement by German car manufacturer Audi which could offer them up to a 60 per cent discount on their cars. As valued customers, the Royals are able to take advantage of the company's VIP terms and conditions - meaning their cars are also personally delivered

The Royal family are understood to be benefiting from a leasing arrangement by German car manufacturer Audi which could offer them up to a 60 per cent discount on their cars. As valued customers, the Royals are able to take advantage of the company's VIP terms and conditions - meaning their cars are also personally delivered

With his aggressive studs-up tackling, Prince Harry evoked Chelsea legend Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris with some ugly tackles in last year's fixture.

His robust style of play could have earned a red card if his boots had made contact with his opponent in a competitive game

But that didn’t stop him making other heavy-handed attempts to win the ball in a festive friendly – even if his brother William was on the receiving end.

An onlooker at the Christmas Eve game said: ‘William and Harry are both fairly reasonable players – but it seemed that Harry had the edge when it came to fitness. It is probably not surprising because Harry is a serving soldier and has just come back from a 200 mile trek to the South Pole.

Commanding presence: Prince Harry was seen playing football with friends in Battersea Park

Commanding presence: Prince Harry was seen playing football with friends in Battersea Park

Healthy and hale: The Royal looked trim as he enjoyed a kickabout with friends under the watchful eye of three royal protection police officers

Healthy and hale: The Royal looked trim as he enjoyed a kickabout with friends under the watchful eye of three royal protection police officers

A FEW OF THE ASSETS ON THE PRINCE'S NEW TOY

  • 19” 10-spoke design alloy wheels with 265/35 R19 tyres
  • RS Super Sports seats, electrically adjustable
  • Fine Nappa leather with contrasting piping and RS embossing
  • Audi Sound System speaker package, with 10 speakers including subwoofer (180 Watts)
  • Adaptive light including Xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED rear lights, headlight washer system and automatic range adjust

Under the watchful eye of three royal protection police officers, the prince, wearing a grey T-shirt, black shorts and grey trainers in bright orange laces, dashed after the ball but didn't appear to have many touches.

 

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After the game he was seen driving away with friend, Tom Van Straubenzee, who part-owns the Bodo's Schloss nightclub in Kensington and is married to  Lady Melissa Percy, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Northumberland.

Harry and William are both keen football fans and the younger prince has been snapped playing football at West Ham's Upton Park, with orphaned children during a visit to a children's centre in Lesotho, Africa and even in Afghanistan.

Every year the pair play a game involving estate workers near the Queen’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on Christmas Eve.

Soccer mad: Both Princes are keen football fans and are often seen playing
The fourth-in-line to the throne gestures at team mates during the match

Soccer mad: Both Princes are keen football fans and are often seen playing

Sombre, with a splash of colour: Harry wore a dark grey t-shirt, black shorts but bright orange underwear

Sombre, with a splash of colour: Harry wore a dark grey t-shirt, black shorts but bright orange underwear

Run onto it! Harry seemed a little static during the kickabout
Run onto it! Harry seemed a little static during the kickabout

Run onto it! Harry seemed a little static during the kickabout
Exhausting: The Prince grew redder and redder as the match wore on

Run onto it! Harry seemed a little static during the kickabout

Crowning achievement: Harry celebrates in the classic spread-armed pose beloved of footballers of every stripe

Crowning achievement: Harry celebrates in the classic spread-armed pose beloved of footballers of every stripe

Harry and William are both keen football fans and the younger prince has been snapped playing foorball at West Ham's Upton Park, with orphaned children during a visit to a children's centre in Lesotho, Africa and even in Afghanistan
Harry and William are both keen football fans

Harry and William are both keen football fans and the younger prince has been snapped playing foorball at West Ham's Upton Park, with orphaned children during a visit to a children's centre in Lesotho, Africa and even in Afghanistan

Smiles: The players grin during the game at Battersea Park, a large park opposite Chelsea on the south bank of the Thames in London
Goal against? The Royal looks on as a friend in a distinctly un-regal green and yellow hoody celebrates

Smiles: The players grin during the game at Battersea Park, a large park opposite Chelsea on the south bank of the Thames in London. Right, the Royal looks on as a friend in a distinctly un-regal green and yellow hoody celebrates

Chat: Harry wore just a t-shirt and shorts, despite the chill and rain in the capital last night

Chat: Harry wore just a t-shirt and shorts, despite the chill and rain in the capital last night

Harry wore just a t-shirt and shorts, despite the chill and rain in the capital last night

Exhausted: Harry wipes sweat away from his face on the shoulder of his t-shirt
Concentration: Harry focuses on the game

Exhausted: Harry wipes sweat away from his face on the shoulder of his t-shirt and, right, concentrates on the game

Trim: Army life appears to agree with Harry
In a game with royal staff on Christmas Eve, the Prince was noted for his no-nonsense tackling

Trim: Army life appears to agree with Harry. In a football game with royal staff on Christmas Eve, the Prince was noted for his no-nonsense tackling

‘Harry was getting around all over the pitch and was beating his brother in most challenges, but William won his fair share of balls.

‘It was a very good-natured game with no serious fouls or injuries, but they were not shy about steaming into each other.’

In October The Duke of Cambridge kicked off the first football match to be played at Buckingham Palace - after warning that any players breaking windows would answer to the Queen.

Before kick-off, Prince William got involved in a kickabout and was spotted wearing a bright orange pair of boots... that once belonged to Wayne Rooney.

William helped to organise the match between two of England's oldest amateur clubs - Civil Service FC and Polytechnic FC - who took to the pitch marked out in the Queen's garden for a competitive amateur league fixture.

Prince Harry takes a penalty kick during a visit to West Ham United's Upton Park ground in London in 2002

Prince Harry takes a penalty kick during a visit to West Ham United's Upton Park ground in London in 2002

Charitable: Prince Harry shows some silky skills with orphaned children during a visit to the Semongkong Children's Centre in Lesotho

Charitable: Prince Harry shows some silky skills with orphaned children during a visit to the Semongkong Children's Centre in Lesotho

Prince Harry enjoys an early morning kick-about at dawn in the desert in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan
He was spending the day visiting charities and causes which he intends to support

Much of the Royal's involvement in the Beautiful Game is related to the various charities he supports

Prince Harry and members of the Household Cavalry take part in a 'Kick 4 Life' football match at the Thuso Centre for disabled children in Lesotho, Africa

Prince Harry and members of the Household Cavalry take part in a 'Kick 4 Life' football match at the Thuso Centre for disabled children in Lesotho, Africa

Prince Harry enjoys an early morning kickabout at dawn in the desert in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan
Prince Harry enjoys an early morning kickabout at dawn in the desert in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan

Prince Harry enjoys an early morning kickabout at dawn in the desert in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan


WHY DO SO MANY ROYALS DRIVE AUDIS? COULD IT BE BECAUSE OF THE 60 PER CENT DISCOUNTS?

The Royal family are understood to be benefiting from a leasing arrangement by German car manufacturer Audi which could offer them up to a 60 per cent discount on their cars.

The Royal family are understood to be benefiting from a leasing arrangement by German car manufacturer Audi which could offer them up to a 60 per cent discount on their cars.

As valued customers, the Royals are able to take advantage of the company's VIP terms and conditions - meaning their cars are also personally delivered.

Such favourable leasing arrangements are not available to ordinary motorists and shows why the Royals have favoured the manufacturer over the last decade.

The Prince of Wales owns several models, including an A8 limousine that cost £92,500 and a pair of Allroad estate for personal use by himself and the Duchess of Cornwall.

He has also purchased two A4's for his staff.

Prince William drives a S4 saloon which has a 4.2 litre engine while the Duchess of Cambridge owns a silver A3 model.

The couple now also have a £250,000 Bentley for high-profile official engagements. 

The Royal family are understood to be benefiting from a leasing arrangement by German car manufacturer Audi which could offer them up to a 60 per cent discount on their cars.

In his first public visit to his prospective in-laws in 2009, William chose a black Audi for the journey to their home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, from his father’s Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire.

The deal with the company may also explain why its head of PR Jon Zamett was invited to the couple's wedding.

The manufacturer is understood to be investing thousands of pounds in boosting its image - and getting close to the Royals. They have made large donations to charities that are supported by the Princes and signed an agreement in 2005 to sponsor the English polo squad.

Marketing experts say that offering their cars at competitive rates could offer unique prestige.

Ian Stephens, of Saffron Brand Consultants, told the Times: 'Giving away cars is a bit sensitive.If you rent them at a discount you get around concerns over bribery or corruptions and still gain the association.'

'Audi are competing against other German and luxury brands that are established in the UK market, and they've always been outsiders. They are trying to buy their way into the establishment.'



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It is Harry who should be king, not his brother. Harry gets "it" and truly enjoys his life and the many people he encounters. His brother is going to be a huge embarrassment to monarchy, but Harry would infuse it with energy and make his grandmother proud.

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I say drive their cars all you want because the way I see it the company is donating a lot of money to their charities and that's the point.

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It must be so creepy to see pictures of yourself out with friends not knowing the whole time someone had a camera on you. Very unnerving.

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So he has a nice car get over it. He has millions you do not. Why moan.

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Harry's hot. End of.

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Harry gets millions from the Duchy of Cornwall courtesy of his dad and he does have private income as well. Too bad he's still clowning around with one of the guys who got naked with him in Vegas.

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what a car!

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Harry the kind of Royal Parasite that has done 2 tours of Afghanistan, Raised thousands for injured troops, Helped raise awarness for hundreds of charities and got stuck in to help flood victims. I dont like the royal family that much, but at least he tries to make a difference.

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Yes in Afghanistan surrounded by bodyguards and rushed to the safe house as soon as trouble appears

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trouble that appeared miles away, as the base is the size of reading.

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RICH BOYS TOYS WHICH PRESUMABLY DAD PAID FOR ---THE MILITARY AREN'T PAID ENOUGH TO BUY THAT ARE THEY ?? -BUT VERY NICE THOUGH -THOUGHT HE'D HAVE GONE FOR THE ESTATE THOUGH SO HE AND CRESSIDA CAN GET THE KIDS IN !!!

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or his own millions, either way.

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Well at least he will stop coming round and borrowing my Nissan Micra for the evening now

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