PRINCE Charles was kept guessing last night as the Princess of Wales pondered his proposed terms for the royal divorce. And while the two sides are believed close to agreement, sources close to Princess Diana yesterday insisted her acceptance of the package put forward by Prince Charles last week might not be a foregone conclusion.
There had been speculation that an announcement might be made today, ahead of President Nelson Mandela's state visit to Britain. But the princess is expected to have further consultations with her lawyers, and further exchanges with the prince's legal team have not been ruled out.
Although anxious not to delay the divorce any further, it is said the princess is determined not to be rushed into a decision even if her response clashes with President Mandela's visit.
The outstanding points at issue are not clear, although one report yesterday suggested the princess was resisting a demand by the prince that she return a substantial amount of the proposed cash settlement in the event of her remarriage.
The Mail on Sunday claimed Princess Diana had rejected the proposed deal which, it suggested, involved a one off payment of £10 million, and not the £15 million widely reported.
And it seems consideration of the prince's terms prompted Diana to call off a high profile visit to the Wimbledon tennis finals and to delay her departure for a sunshine holiday with her sons, the Princes William and Harry.
Should the terms be agreed by midweek, the princess and her sons could proceed to their holiday. But that would leave Buckingham Palace with the thorny decision as to whether to make a formal announcement during Mr Mandela's visit, or run the risk of a leak of Princess Diana's decision.
The Mail on Sunday report claimed Princess Diana considers the proposed cash settlement inadequate, fears she would eventually be bullied out of her Kensington Palace home, believes her future role and position are not clearly defined and is prepared to make one last stand to get what she wants.
Prince Charles and the palace are painfully aware that Princess Diana and her lawyers have fought a tough negotiation. And as they awaited her response last night, they were uncomfortably aware that the ball remains for the moment in her court.