Three-storey Italian paint job lands Harry’s bar in bother

OWNERS of a pizzeria popular with Prince Harry have hit trouble after painting its three-storey facade like a giant Italian flag.

The bosses of Bunga Bunga turned the London corner bar red, white and green to make Italians “feel truly welcome” ahead of the EU referendum – but Wandsworth council officials have given them 28 days to repaint it white “to preserve the Victorian character”.

It is thought the prince last visited the venue in Battersea in January for the birthday of socialite Anneke Gilkes, alongside the Duchess of Cambridge’s brother James and Princess Eugenie. The Duke and Duchess had a night there last year while model Cara Delevingne and Margot Robbie, star of

have also visited. A spokesman for Bunga Bunga, founded by Old Etonian Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling, said they hope they can keep the colours for the Euro 2016 football tournament, which ends on July 10: “We wanted the wonderful people of Italy to feel truly welcome here with their national flag prominently displayed on the building. We are sad the council does not share the many positive comments we have received.” They may appeal.

Christine Hamilton, wife of the former Tory MP Neil Hamilton who lives nearby, wrote online: “I think it looks brilliant, cheers everyone up”.

A council spokesman said: “The building is part of a conservation area within which all property owners are required to preserve the Victorian character of the streets. Following complaints about the bar’s paintwork we’ve written to the owners to request that they repaint it to match the previous appearance.”