GIRL ABOUT TOWN: Harry and Meghan are set to slope off for a romantic break... but poor old William may miss his Alpine adventure with Kate

By Charlotte Griffiths, Diary Editor For The Mail On Sunday

Published: 00:01 GMT, 15 January 2017 | Updated: 05:21 GMT, 15 January 2017

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With a month to go until Valentine's Day, Prince Harry is planning a romantic getaway with girlfriend Meghan Markle – to Verbier, his favourite Swiss ski resort.

Whispers from the resort tell me that Royal aides have already carried out a recce to check out any potential security issues.

Harry will be delighted to learn that the security team even checked out one of Verbier's top nightclubs, Casbah, for him.

Now, anticipation in the resort is building.

With a month to go until Valentine's Day, Prince Harry (left) is planning a romantic getaway with girlfriend Meghan Markle (right) – to Verbier, his favourite Swiss ski resort

My mole on the slopes said: 'Locals recognised staff who have previously skied behind Prince Harry when they came looking around Casbah recently.

'Now the whole place is buzzing about having a visit from Harry.'

Harry knows Verbier well – in 2013, he took his then-girlfriend Cressida Bonas to the resort and was seen canoodling with her on the slopes. He is said to be comfortable there as it is peppered with high-profile friends and family who can protect him.

The 32-year-old Prince and his special guest could find privacy in Richard Branson's pile The Lodge, although it costs £126,000 to rent the whole place over Valentine's week.

The 32-year-old Prince and his special guest could find privacy in Richard Branson's pile The Lodge (pictured)

Alternatively, they could stay in the Duchess of York's Verbier chalet. Actress Meghan, 35, who lives in Canada, is certainly used to the cold, but she is better known for her love of beachside yoga than snow sports.

The slopes are a favourite venue for Royal romancing. Prince William famously wooed the young Kate Middleton during ski trips to Klosters before they married. Last year he accompanied her on a family trip to Courchevel in the French Alps.

However, I can reveal that William's work commitments this year mean the Duchess of Cambridge may have to take their children George and Charlotte to ski school without him.

YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT THEY TELL ME

Prince Harry's rumoured ex-girlfriend – and still close pal – Natalie Pinkham (pictured) is keeping an eye on Meghan Markle

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QI presenter Sandi Toksvig gives a revealing glimpse of life with her wife Debbie.

'I don't drink, so when I took my best man on his stag do, I made him drink shots of water. We were home by 10.30pm.'

Sounds like Tom Daley's own stag party will be a less-than-riotous affair. The diver is expected to marry fiance Dustin Lance Black this year.

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Musician Rick Wakeman reveals that, even in his dotage, the famous comic never lost his ability to appreciate the female form.

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Prince Harry's rumoured ex-girlfriend – and still close pal – Natalie Pinkham tells me at the launch of the Bunga Bunga bar in Covent Garden that she's keeping an eye on Meghan Markle.

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Lady Antonia Fraser tells me of a hair-raising moment she shared with late husband Harold Pinter.