The prince arrived at Heathrow yesterday afternoon from Oman, where he was shielded from the scandal while on an official visit.

He kept his head down and ignored journalists as he got off the plane, then was whisked away by a car waiting for him at the bottom of the aircraft steps.

Charles headed straight for the safety of his country home, Highgrove in Gloucestershire. He has no public engagements at the start of the week.

Smith made his accusation after claiming six years ago that hewasrapedbyone of Charles's male aides.

He said he gave a tape containing evidence to Princess Diana, but police have found no evidence to back his story.

The rumours about Charles cannotberepeatedbecause of a court order obtained by former royal servant Michael Fawcett.

But they are already common knowledge in foreign countries where the order does not apply, and details have spread widely over the internet.

Reports at the weekend said aides to Charles had asked a top firm of libel lawyers, Harbottle and Lewis, to study George Smith's accusations.

Sources say the lawyers will look at the possibility of suing Smith for breach of confidence.

A spokeswoman at Charles's London home, Clarence House, said no plans hadbeenmade for him to discuss the scandal on TV. But she said such a move had not been ruled out.

Royal aides tried to limit the scandal last weekwhen Charles's private secretary, Sir Michael Peat, went public to dismiss the rumours about his boss as ``ludicrous and risible'' Peat did not name Smith, but described him as a formerservant who suffered alcoholism and post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in the Falklands War.

Other officials privately said Smith was ``a sad, sick man''.

The Queen was consulted about Peat's statement and approved it. But instead of easing the pressure on Charles, it only confirmed that he was the royal involved in the scandal.

It was reported yesterday that Peat himself once questioned Charles's sexuality.

Charles's former press supremo, Mark Bolland, said Peat asked him a year ago: ``Do you think Charles is bisexual?''

Bolland told a Sunday newspaper: ``I was astonished at Sir Michael's question. I told him the prince was emphatically not gay or bisexual.''

Michael Fawcett took out a court injunction against the Mail on Sunday last week, gagging the paper from printing a story based on George Smith's claims.

Asked if Clarence House was relieved that the claims were not published at the weekend, a spokeswoman for Charles said: ``We're not bothered. We didn't take any legal action.''

The Queen and Prince William are both said to be fully behind Charles. And the prince himself is said to be buoyant despite the scandal.

George Smith insisted yesterday: ``I told Princess Diana the truth and I stand by my story.

``I have only ever wanted justice for the rape I suffered, although in seeking justice I have caused the Prince of Wales anguish which I never intended.

``I have always respected him and I am still proud of the work I did for him over 10 years.''

Smith said Di looked ``shocked, butnotthatshocked'' when he told her about the alleged incident involving Charles.