THE divorce lawyers for the Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales, have been hired by Sir Paul McCartney and his estranged wife in what is shaping up to be one of the most expensive and high- profile partings since the collapse of the royal marriage.

Anthony Julius, who was the Princess’s lawyer and became a close friend in the 1996 divorce that saw her receive a £17 million settlement, will represent Lady McCartney, the former model Heather Mills.

Fiona Shackleton, who acted for the Prince of Wales, will be in Sir Paul’s corner. Nicholas Mostyn, QC, whose successes have earned him the nickname Mr Payout, is also on Sir Paul’s legal team.

Sir Paul, 64, is a much richer man than the Prince of Wales, with personal wealth estimated at £825 million. The couple did not sign a pre-nuptial agreement before their wedding in 2002. The legal costs alone will make a sizeable dent in Sir Paul’s fortune.

Mr Julius, 50, a senior consultant with Mishcon de Reya, charges a reputed £500 an hour.

Ms Shackleton, 50, a partner in Payne Hicks Beach, who is known as the “Steel Magnolia” because of her sharp negotiating skills, is thought to charge a similar rate.

A spokesman for Mishcon de Reya said: “We can confirm that we have been instructed by Heather Mills to act in her divorce proceedings. Her team is being led by Anthony Julius. He is a fantastic lawyer.”

At one point the Princess considered dropping Mr Julius because of the size of his fees but when the settlement was concluded she presented him with a silver blotter from Asprey’s with a handwritten note which said: “Thank you for giving me back my wings.”

When the McCartneys announced three months ago that their four-year marriage was coming to an end they put out a joint statement saying it was an amicable parting. But it is turning into an increasingly bitter public war of words.

On Monday, Lady McCartney, 38, was locked out of their £7 million home in St John’s Wood, North London, with their two-year-old daughter, Beatrice. The event was recorded by a conveniently positioned newspaper photographer, prompting the accusation from the McCartney camp that his wife had stage-managed it to generate sympathy. It had been widely reported that Sir Paul had changed the locks on the three-storey Regency house that has been his home for almost 40 years.

When Lady McCartney could not get in, having claimed it was a pre-arranged visit, one of her security guards attempted to scale the garden wall. Police were called by Sir Paul’s staff and four officers arrived in a patrol car.

A friend of the former Beatle said: “It’s a bit odd that there were photographers there to capture the thing.”

Lady McCartney has recruited Phil Hall, a former Editor of the News of the World, to handle her publicity.

The late Princess often tipped off the media in advance of her visits during her divorce.

IN HIS CORNER

Fiona Shackleton was educated at Beneden School where she was told she did not have the “brains” to be a doctor. Secured a Third in law at Exeter University. Joined Farrers in 1984, became a partner within two years. “Steel Magnolia” came to attention of Prince of Wales after handling Duke of York’s marital break-up. She famously argued that Maya Flick, wife of Friedrich Flick, the Mercedes-Benz tycoon, could not be expected to live on a settlement of £9 million.

IN HER CORNER

Anthony Julius secured a First in English at Jesus College, Cambridge, before studying law. He joined Mishcon de Reya and acted as a media lawyer representing Robert Maxwell. He met the Princess of Wales when he represented her against a newspaper which published photographs of her in a gym. His other clients include Stephen Fry. He has four children and is married for a second time to a freelance journalist. He chaired the memorial trust set up in the name of the late Princess.