Royal TV firm denies 'stalking' William

Less than a week after beginning life as a university student, Prince William is at the centre of a dispute over press intrusion that pits royal against royal.

Ardent Productions, the struggling television company owned by his uncle the Earl of Wessex, has been accused of stalking the young royal in breach of a media agreement to respect the privacy of the heir to the throne.

Since William announced his plan to study at St Andrews, one of Scotland's most prestigious seats of learning, there have been worries that his presence would provoke a media frenzy. An opportunity for broadcasters to film him as he arrived to begin his art history course was organised for last Sunday. The media was also given access to a series of official engagements performed by William and his father, the Prince of Wales, in and around Glasgow two days earlier.

In return, the press was expected to enter into a gentleman's agreement to leave the 19-year-old in peace once term began. Every media organisation in the world complied – except one. On Monday, an Ardent film crew was seen trying to film in St Salvator's Chapel, opposite William's hall of residence, in breach of the agreement. The crew was warned by university officials to leave the campus.

Its members claimed to be working on a programme called The A to Z of Royalty, which has been sold to an American cable company called E! Entertainment Network. The crew returned on Wednesday and was seen again, this time by William in the university quadrangle. The Prince, upset by the intrusion, quickly contacted his father and St James's Palace. An angry Prince of Wales is understood to have complained to his brother over the actions of his staff.

The university's rector, the journalist Andrew Neil, said yesterday that the university felt "badly let down" by the actions of Ardent. "It beggars belief," he said. "We knew somebody would break [the agreement] at some stage. But for it to be broken by a company owned by his own uncle, well, you just couldn't make it up."

A spokesman for Ardent Productions, which was set up in 1993 with the Earl of Wessex as joint managing director, defended the company yesterday against claims that it was stalking Prince William.

"The filming on Wednesday was arranged with the full knowledge and co-operation of the university press office three weeks ago," said Malcolm Cockren, the chairman of Ardent. "At no time did the crew attempt to film Prince William, gain unauthorised access or shoot on the campus. Prince William was completely unaware of the entire incident.

"Although Edward Wessex [Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex] was aware the crew was filming Prince William's arrival over the weekend, the filming on Wednesday was arranged separately and without his knowledge. As soon as he was aware yesterday, he instructed the crew to cease activities. A full investigation is being made."

The university angrily dismissed Mr Cockren's claims. A spokesman said Ardent had requested to film during the week of 24 September but was told there would be no special privileges. All media organisations had been expected to leave St Andrews immediately after the official photocall on Sunday, 23 September.