Even princes have to go outside to smoke! New photos emerge showing Harry enjoying a crafty cigarette with friends while celebrating his birthday at a Chelsea pub

• Series of images clearly show Prince Harry puffing on a cigarette  
• The royal, 31, was enjoying the tobacco hit at his birthday party last week 
• Wife of friend Guy Pelly, Elizabeth Wilson, lit the cigarette for him 
• Prince addressed a crowd of 82,000 rugby fans on Friday evening 

A series of new images have emerged of Prince Harry enjoying a puff on a friend's cigarette during his birthday celebrations last week.

The photographs, thought to be taken outside the London pub where he marked turning 31, clearly show Harry and a group of fellow smokers enjoying a nicotine hit on the pavement.

With a birthday, an appearance at the Battle of Britain anniversary and the small matter of 82,000 rugby fans to address at Twickenham, it was certainly quite a week for the royal.

Perhaps he was steeling his nerves to deliver that stirring speech at the opening of the Rugby World Cup on Friday night, or maybe he was just allowing himself a tobacco-laced birthday treat.

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A quick drag: New photos have emerged of Prince Harry (centre), reportedly at The Cross Keys pub in Chelsea for his 31st birthday celebrations last Tuesday, inhaling on a cigarette

The Prince was spotted taking several drags on the cigarette which was lit for him by Elizabeth Wilson, the wife of his best friend Guy Pelly

Hiding behind a puff of smoke, the Prince looks keen to get a nicotine fix and then pass the offending cigarette back to Elizabeth

Wearing a white shirt and jeans, Harry was seen kicking back with friends - including long-time pal Guy Pelly and cousin Zara Phillips and husband Mike Tindall - at The Cross Keys pub in Chelsea. 

It is Pelly's wife, Elizabeth, who was on hand with a packet of cigarettes. 

The sheepish-looking prince clearly didn't want to be seen lighting up so Elizabeth obliged before handing the lit cigarette for him to smoke. 

After inhaling, the super-fit prince can be seen handing the cigarette back, only to repeat the process again moments later. 

Femail has contacted Kensington Palace for comment.

Also in attendance at the birthday bash, which was reported to have lasted five hours was Harry's old flame Cressida Bonas. 

Their appearance together inevitably added fuel to the rumours that the prince is keen to re-kindle his romance with 26-year-old Cress, as she is known to her friends 

Tempted: Elizabeth Wilson, far right, with lighter in hand, gives Harry the cigarette as Guy Pelly (centre) looks on

The friends chat away on the pavement while enjoying the crafty tobacco 

A well-placed source told the Mail: 'They were out with a group of friends having a drink to celebrate Harry's 31st. It was also a chance for him to say hello to some of his pals, having spent the summer working in Africa.

'Harry and Cress have always kept in touch and are fond of each other. They aren't together at the moment and although you can never say never. 

Alongside appearing at the 75th Battle of Britain anniversary events last week, in which he gave up the chance to fly in a spitfire to enable a veteran pilot to experience it, he also enjoyed a huge audience at the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup in Twickenham.

He even made a cameo in the ceremony's introductory film, appearing as a humble gardener alongside former England player Jonny Wilkinson. 

Harry inhales on the cigarette as Elizabeth puffs out a plume of smoke into the night air

With the cigarette firmly held in his right hand, birthday boy Harry inhales

I didn't smoke it all! He then passes the cigarette back to his friend

Party at mine! Harry was photographed as he set off home, having invited his guests back to Kensington Palace for an after party

Half way through his delivery, the prince's voice broke suddenly, perhaps because of nerves, and produced a collective chuckle from the crowd, which included the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

His emotive speech, which ended with a rallying 'Game on' proved a huge hit with fans though, who took to Twitter to voice their admiration.

'No better advocate for English rugby,' wrote social media user Ms Honey. 'Well done Prince Harry on a great opening speech!'

Another, named Julie Cichocki, added: 'Great great speech by Prince Harry. Got to love Harry. 

Speech: Harry, who is honorary president of the England RFU, made a speech to the 82,000 crowd at Twickenham stadium as the Rugby World Cup kicked off

Cameo: Prince Harry raised the roof after putting in a cameo performance dressed as a gardener

Others, however, preferred to focus on the prince's bushy ginger beard - a new look that also provoked comment during an appearance at Goodwood Aerodrome on Tuesday.

Now as then, social media users were quick to declare his beard 'hot', with some even saying it was helping win them over to rugby.

Twitter user Gabriela Chavez said: 'It's already more exciting than football and Prince Harry's beard also adds to the majesticness [sic] of the event. I am a fan.'

Another Candy Bowles added: 'Interesting new look! Movember has not arrived.'

Harry spent last week doing a series of rugby themed engagements and is expected to attend a number of games during the six-week Rugby World Cup. 

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