Camilla Parker Bowles. Palace sources say Camilla, 43, is Charles's closest woman friend. Camilla's brigadier husband, Andrew, 51, had been the Queen's Silver-Stick-in-Waiting (a ceremonial escort). Camilla reportedly served as a confidante to Charles during his search for a bride and in the periods that he has been apart from Diana in the past six years.

Lady Tryon. Australian-born Dale ''Kanga'' Tryon, 43, a fashion designer, has been friends with the Prince since the '70s, when she became engaged to her husband, Tony, 50, an investment banker. Estranged from Charles shortly after his marriage (by edict of Diana), she is now close to him again and has figured prominently, but erroneously, in the Di-Charles rift rumors.

Lord and Lady Romsey. Norton Romsey, 43, grandson of Charles's mentor, Earl Mountbatten, is the Prince's cousin and best friend. He is a film and TV producer and an ex-director of Capital Radio. Wife Penny, 36, was the ''old flame'' whom Charles was photographed consoling in Majorca (see main story).

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia. Each August the Waleses join Spain's King, 53, and Queen, 52, for a beach holiday in Majorca. Charles especially enjoys conversing with Sofia, sister of Constantine, the former King of Greece, who's also a close friend of Charles and Di's.

Maj. Ronald Ferguson. The ''Galloping Major,'' Ron, 59, is Charles's polo manager and the father of the Duchess of York. Despite being caught in a 1988 massage-parlor scandal that has him on the outs with the Queen, the major has remained a working chum of Charles's, especially during the polo season.

Lady Sarah Keswick. A childhood friend of the Prince's, Sarah, 45, is married to John ''Chips'' Keswick, 51, the wealthy chairman and CEO of Hambros Bank. ''An accomplished rod and shot,'' according to observers, Sarah is reportedly a regular fishing companion of Charles's.