Royals "right to delay Prince Harry's inheritance" says lawyer

Mr Bricknell said: "Our strong advice is to follow the royals. Much better to draw up a will or trust with a lawyer which ensures that inheritance cash remains untouched until the youngster is mature enough to manage the cash.

"This avoids the 'chocolate factory' affect when too much, too young ends in waste.

"At 18 a parent may want their child to spend the cash on university but the child may want a car or holiday instead. Ultimately the youngster will thank the family in later years for delaying the inheritance to an age when they are old and wise enough to enjoy it and use it to good effect.

"The cash could be very important to buying a house, paying child costs or simply planning for a solid solvent financial future.

"There is no point in jeopardising this by giving the cash to a young person who could just blow it. Moreover if the trust cash is needed early the trustees have the power to approve release."

Mr Bricknell also pointed out that Harry couldn't even toast the occasion as he spent the day flying helicopters on his RAF training course. The unit's 10-hour "bottle to throttle" rule bans pilots from drinking before flying.

He continued: "There really is a good lesson here. Harry has been known as a party boy as many young people are. But his life has moved on considerably in recent years.

"His career is firmly under way and he has far more life experience. Because of his responsibilities and his career at 25 he is much better placed to manage his cash sensibly."

Harry inherited an estimated £9m from his mother's estate. He will not gain access to the full amount until he turns 30 but will now start receiving the interest - around £300,000 a year.

Diana left £12,966,022 to be split equally between Harry and his brother William, 27.
The boys each got half on turning 25 and the cash has gathered substantial interest since Diana's death in 1997.