WHEN damsel in distress Georgina Lucey broke down on a freezing cold night miles from her Petersfield home, she never expected her rescuer to be a real live prince.

But when a car finally stopped to offer assistance to the 25-year-old stranded motorist from Madeline Road, out stepped Prince Edward accompanied by the Countess of Wessex and their driver Charles.

Prince Edward and his driver then pushed GeorginaÕs temperamental H-registered Renault. And with Georgina steering, they trundled her car to the forecourt of the nearby petrol station at the West Meon Hut crossroads much to the amazement of staff.

GeorginaÕs night to remember began when her car broke down on the A272 between Petersfield and Winchester where she had been spending the evening with friends.

ÒAt the crossroads in West Meon my car ground to a halt and I couldnÕt restart it. Alone on a freezing night in the middle of the countryside I would only have dreamt of a dashing young price arriving to save me,Ó said Georgina, Òso itÕs not surprising that I throughout I was dreaming when the black 4X4 with tinted windows drew up next to her and the window wound down to reveal Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex.Ó

ÒThe prince asked if I needed some help to get the car off the road and I accepted.Ó

The couple and their driver Charles left their car and came over to help.

ÒPrince Edward told me to steer and he and Charles pushed. The car rolled up into the nearby petrol station and I got out to thank my royal helpers.Ó

Before driving off the royal couple offered Georgina the use of their mobile phone to let her family know she was safe, but she had her own phone.

ÒThey got back in the car, waved and pulled away. I watched them drive off and then blinked and wondered if they had really been there

at all.Ó

Georgina, who has always been a supporter of the Royal family, told The Herald: ÒThey didnÕt have to stop but they did and it shows a sense of decency and kindness from a family which is so often negatively portrayed.Ó

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace confirmed that the royal couple had stopped to help the stranded motorist and added: ÒThe Earl and Countess were very pleased to hear that the young lady arrived home safely.Ó