CAMILLA FIRES HER TOP AIDE; Fury at leak over William meeting.

CAMILLA Parker Bowles has sacked her private secretary for leaking details of her first meeting with Prince William.

Prince Charles's mistress was furious when she discovered top aide Amanda MacManus had told her media executive husband James about the historic get-together.

He then told a former colleague Phillip Crawley, who spilled the beans to a newspaper.

The extraordinary story of how the meeting was leaked came to light yesterday after Camilla took the unprecedented step of releasing a public statement.

It said Mrs MacManus had "resigned" after a probe, adding: "Mrs Parker Bowles agrees that her position had become untenable."

Last night mum-of-two Mrs MacManus, 43, said she was "very sorry". She added: "It is a matter of great regret to me that

chance remarks of mine led to the disclosure in the Press of the private meeting between Mrs Parker Bowles and Prince William.

"I am so very sorry for the distress this has caused. Above all, my shame is that I have failed those who demand loyalty and trust, particularly my remarkable employer Mrs Parker Bowles.

"I am very sorry to be leaving but as the person responsible for this unhappy chain of events, I cannot with honour remain in this position."

Camilla's statement added: "Mrs MacManus has given tremendous service and Mrs Parker Bowles will much miss her efficiency, charm and friendship."

News of the meeting at St James's Palace was leaked by Times news- paper executive Mr MacManus to ex-colleague Mr Crawley, who passed the information on to the Sun.

But the tip-off was wasted - the Mirror got the story from a different, more reliable source and ran the story exclusively.

South African-born Mrs MacManus worked three and a half days a week for Camilla, 51.

She helped Mrs Parker Bowles in her role as patron of the National Osteoporosis Society.