Transatlantic Romance

　　The sexy niece of President-elect George W. Bush an d Britain's hunky Prince William have been exchanging a stream of e-mails and letters, it was reported.

　　Lauren Bush, 16, and Wills, 18, began their corresp ondence two years ago in a round of "harmless teenage f lirting"—but it soon became more than that, London's Ne ws of the World says.

　　"They became very close pals(好朋友) and it was clear they had a serious crush on each other. He and Lauren f elt they could be very open with each other," a royal s ource told the paper.

　　The puppy love began when Lauren—who has posed for Vogue —left her modeling photo on a luxury yacht(豪华游艇) that William and Prince Charles use to sail the Aegean Sea.

　　William found the photo and, in return, sent a pict ure of himself to Lauren—whose dad, Neil, is Dubya's ki d brother.

　　A friendship quickly blossomed between the presiden t-elect's niece and the future king and most eligible b achelor in the world.

　　The blond pair tried to meet, but never managed it because William was studying at Eton.

　　Lauren is one of the most sought-after young models in the United States and is expected to dazzle at her u ncle's inauguration ball in Washington this month.

　　Friends of the Bush family are delighted that the p air are making contact.

　　The Windsors and the Bushes have been pals from the time Lauren's grandfather was president.

　　by Bill Hoffmann