Princess Diana's niece was today told criminal charges against her had been dropped after she was accused of drunkenly assaulting a man on crutches.
Lady Amelia Spencer, 18, was charged last year with assault after a man claimed she had flicked a cigarette at him before kicking him during a row outside a McDonald's restaurant.
But during a short hearing in Cape Town, South Africa, she was told prosecutors had agreed to drop the case after deciding there was insufficient evidence against her.
Lady Amelia looked relieved as she stood in the dock to hear confirmation proceedings had ended against her.
She was accompanied in court by her mother, former model Victoria Lockwood, who hugged her after hearing the charge had been withdrawn.
William Booth, defending, had told the court there was no evidence against his client.
He said: 'On the details contained in the police docket there is not sufficient evidence to sustain a prosecution and the department of public prosecutions has agreed to drop the prosecution and withdraw the matter.
'We are happy to use this auspicious occasion when the court is so full of people from all over the world to say that the authorities are not going to pursue this matter.'
Lady Amelia was arrested following an alleged late-night row on December 29 outside a McDonald's in Sea Point, Cape Town.
Ricci Cinti, 27, claimed the student launched a foul-mouthed tirade at him after his taxi apparently swerved in front of her Mini Cooper in a queue for the restaurant.
Relieved: Lady Amelia and her mother Victoria Lockwood appeared in court today in Cape Town to hear the charges be dropped
The court heard Mr Cinti was on crutches at the time after being injured during a football match.
He had claimed Lady Amelia - first cousin to Prince William and Prince Harry - screamed at him before flicking a cigarette at him through the open window of the car.
He also claimed he was knocked unconscious and suffered a swollen jaw after being pulled out of the car and thrown to the ground during a fracas.
But the court heard witness statement provided by Mr Cinti and his friend had provided an inconsistent account of events.
Mr Booth, speaking after the hearing, said Lady Amelia had suffered trauma as a result of the allegations.
He said: 'She has had a traumatic few months and this has taken its toll on her, what with her arrest and being dragged to court.
'She is ok, but relieved to be able now to get on with her studies and her life.'
Co-accused, John Barbis, 24, the boyfriend of one of her friends, also had charges against him provisionally withdrawn after he agreed to do 30 hours community sevice following the incident.
Lady Amelia is one of Earl Spencer's four children by his ex-wife Victoria Lockwood.
The couple lived together in Cape Town until their divorce in 1997.
Following their split, the children stayed int he city with Ms Lockwood, who has a sprawling home on a gated estate in the upmarket Constantia suburb.
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