Princess Diana 'almost outed George Michael to Prince Harry years before he came out publicly'

Diana, Princess of Wales almost outed George Michael to a young Prince Harry years before the singer's sexuality came to light, according to the autobiography of a former royal aide.

In a comic moment Diana, speaking about the singer, told a guest during a 1992 reception "Isn't it a shame he doesn't like the ladies?" not aware that her son was close by, royal commentator Dickie Arbiter writes in his new book.

Michael was a guest at the event - a Kensington Palace drinks reception for Diana's charities - and when the eight-year-old Prince asked who they were talking about the Princess replied "Shut up, Harry".

Mr Arbiter said in his book On Duty With The Queen, which is published this week by Blink Publishing:

The sexuality of the singer, who was one of Diana's close friends, was not publicly known until he was caught six years later propositioning an undercover police officer in a Los Angeles public toilet, an experience he later lampooned in the video for his hit song Outside.

During the same reception Diana used the occasion to give her son, the Duke of Cambridge then aged 10, the opportunity to give a public speech and he thanked the charities' staff on behalf of his mother.

The royal commentator was a press secretary for the Queen for 12 years from 1998 and during that period worked for the Prince and Princess of Wales for five years.