PRINCE Charles, who had surgery on his right knee yesterday, will be the star attraction at a forthcoming polo game at Kirtlington Park.

The venue near Bicester, which incorporates Oxford University Polo Club, is expecting a visit from the Prince of Wales on August 1.

A St James's Palace spokesman confirmed that Prince Charles had included the event on his schedule for the year.

He said: "The Prince broke his right arm in two places in 1990 and his doctors advised him to cut down after that.

"But he still plays and usually takes part in about 13 charity matches a season. The Kirtlington Park visit is on his agenda."

The Prince of Wales was expected to carry out a number of official engagements today just 24 hours after undergoing laser keyhole surgery on his knee.

The Prince, 49, was due to visit the Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend, south Wales, before launching a new training centre for Prince's Trust Volunteers at the town's privately-run Parc Prison.

He underwent the operation yesterday at the King Edward VII Hospital for Officers, in central London, after the cartilage in his knee began causing him discomfort.

A Palace spokesman said: "His Royal Highness is determined to carry out official engagements in Wales. We hope his knee will be up to it"," said a Palace spokesman last night."

The Prince arrived before midday at the private hospital, where Princess Margaret is recovering from a mild stroke and the Queen Mother recently underwent hip replacement surgery.

The cartilage operation was performed yesterday afternoon and he was discharged at teatime.

A helicopter took the Prince, who was accompanied by a police bodyguard, back to his Highgrove residence, near Tetbury.

It is understood the right knee was troublesome after the wear and tear of years of sport and exercise.

The Prince, a keen horseman and trekker, had surgery on his left knee some years ago.

Knee-trouble is the latest medical problem for the Prince, who has only just recovered from a painful cracked rib sustained when he fell from a horse while hunting.

Despite the discomfort the Prince insisted on trekking in the Himalayas during last month's official visits to Nepal and Bhutan.

The Prince also has a long history of back trouble caused by repeated falls while out riding and playing polo.

He broke his right arm in two places when he fell badly while playing polo in 1990.

A second operation was necessary when one of the fractures failed to heal, causing him great pain.

Bone taken from the Prince's hip was packed around the break and a metal plate secured with screws.

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