In 1979, Lord Mountbatten . . . greatgrandson of Queen Victoria and mentor to the Duke of Edinburgh . . . was killed by the IRA in Sligo while fishing with his grandson, who also died. Days later, his other grandson Philip married Penny, now Lady Romsey, and took up residence at Broadlands. One of their two daughters, Leonora, died of cancer in 1991 at the age of five. Their only son, Nicholas, has since endured an epic struggle with drink and drugs. Despite being Prince Charles's godson . . . and having been given the task of 'mentoring' Prince William at Eton . . . 26-year-old Nicholas dropped out of Edinburgh University after six weeks.

Shortly afterwards, he was arrested and cautioned by police after being found in possession of cannabis.

He soon adopted a punk haircut, became heavily tattooed and moved on to harder narcotics. In 2004, he was sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

Last year, he spent stints in the Stepping Stones Addiction Centre in South Africa.

Today, Nicholas boasts the courtesy title of Lord Romsey. Although officially heir to a 150m fortune, his parents are reported to have taken steps to prevent him assuming full control of the inheritance.