Harry has also inherited Di's gift for reaching out to people. At Nam Long Le Shaker, a Vietnamese bar and eatery in Kensington whose glittery clientele includes Hugh Grant, a bartender admits with a sheepish grin, "I like Harry better. Harry comes and talks with me; William is more reserved." (Harry, who is still under the legal age of 18, does not drink on these outings.)

When William does the town, he sticks with his group, drinks moderately -- at the Vietnamese joint, he favors White Panthers (a concoction of sweet liqueurs) and banana daiquiris -- and refrains from dancing. Even at trendy nightclubs like K-Bar and 151 Club, "William is terribly careful, so he would not ever be in a position where he could be compromised by having a romance or whatever," says a friend. The Palace denies press reports that the prince smokes cigarettes on such occasions.

Despite the brothers' differences in style, the public image of William as the academic son and Harry as the athletic one is blurring. Though hard-working William easily surpassed the grades required for admission to St. Andrews, a friend says, "William is not a brilliant student, but he was able." In sports, he holds his own, having captained the Eton swim team and competed in soccer and polo. (That missed shot in Gloucestershire was a fluke; it required a right-armed shot, and he's a lefty.)

Harry, who is doing fine at Eton, excels at rugby and skiing and is the more natural of the two at polo and hunting. Following a growth spurt that has left him 6 ft. tall, he is coming into his own as he uses the polo field to challenge not only his 6'2" brother but his 5'10" dad as well. "Harry is certainly at an age where he wants to prove himself against the world," says polo commentator Hilston. "So you see good rivalry between father and son."

Off the field, both boys enjoy a close relationship with Charles, whom they see at least once a month during the school year. (The trio are spending August at the Queen's Balmoral estate in Scotland.) "He's emerged as a very successful single parent," says royals watcher Hoey.

Cover Story Extra: The Princes Play Polo