Kate Middleton is alergic to horses

Sensible and discreet, Kate Middleton is widely seen as an ideal bride for Prince William. There is, however, one obstacle to her becoming completely assimilated within the Royal family, and it is not her uncle Gary Goldsmith, who was exposed as a drug dealer.

Kate, 27, is allergic to horses, but Mandrake learns that she is taking steps to tackle her problem. “Kate has sought medical advice,” claims one of her chums. “She is keen to overcome this.”

Bruce Fogle, the former television vet, who has met Kate, also suffers from the condition. “The human allergic response to horses is serious and needs to be addressed as it involves the lungs,” he tells me. “I will use a bronchial dilator if I am going near horses. The alternative is to desensitise myself by using a vaccine beforehand.”

Last month, Mandrake reported how Kate had to spend the afternoon in her Audi when she joined her 27-year-old boyfriend at the Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire, where he played in the Chakravarty Cup with Prince Harry.

On the rare occasions when she did venture out of her car, as soon as horses came anywhere near she dived back in.

Last year, Kate told Kathy Lette, the novelist, that she was allergic to horses. She made the comment at a polo match in which William and Harry were playing. Guests were gathered inside a large marquee, talking, drinking champagne and showing, at best, a mild interest in the polo. Lette noticed a small tent in a corner of a field and wandered over to find out what was going on inside.

There was Kate, sitting alone, watching the match intently. “Why don't you come and join the rest of the party?” miss Lette asked. “I've got to pay attention to every second,” Kate said. “I'll be discussing the game in minute detail later on.”

Lette replied: “You can't be having much fun here. Why don't you play polo yourself?”

Kate said: “I'm allergic to horses.”