AN exiled Burmese prince is living and working as a teacher in Leytonstone.

Speaking exclusively to the Guardian, HRH Prince Shwebomin, the Crown Prince of Burma, has told of his 43 heart-breaking years of exile from his family and country.

The 56-year-old prince, head of a 250-year-old royal dynasty, left Burma aged 13, alone and under a shroud of secrecy.

His uncle decided the future king's life would be in danger from the military government if he stayed.

He said: "I had to go, I had no choice. As the oldest of five boys I was considered the most important. I was someone who had to be protected at all costs.

"I had lived in Burma under military rule for 18 months before I left. It was very hard and oppressive."

In July 1961, Prince Shwebomin saw and spoke to his parents and four younger brothers for the last time before boarding a flight to England.

He said: "I've not really had any contact since then. The letters we sent to each other were always steamed open by the authorities. I never called them, I was not allowed to.

"I lost complete contact with the family some time in 1970. I really don't know what happened to my parents or to my brothers. I found out around this time my parents had died.

"I believe they were possibly poisoned or they were denied medical aid when they needed it.

"I managed to find out my brothers were still alive, but the family has been broken up."

Arriving in England, the prince was taken in by family friends in Berkshire. He excelled academically and enjoyed travelling around the UK and Europe.

He said: "At the beginning, I was really upset and distraught. But I had to come to terms with things. It was a sad part of my life but I also had to start living and had lots of fun."

In 1988, life started to change for Prince Shwebomin. A civil uprising against communist military rule took place in Burma. It was also the time he began working in education.

He has been teaching the MBA enterprise and business course at the East London College in High Road, Leytonstone, for the past year and is also dean of the business school.

He said: "I am busy 24 hours a day but I am happy. I enjoy teaching immensely. I love working with the children especially when they are so keen to learn and are enjoying it. That is important.

"It's quite an experience being in Leytonstone. I only live around the corner and I find it very interesting."

Prince Shwebomin is hopeful about the future. "I'm looking forward to developing the business school at the college and I am sure I will be reunited with my family now that things have started to change.

"But I'm not sure they will recognise me," he said. "I had to go, I had no choice. As the oldest of five boys I was considered the most important. I was someone who had to be protected at all costs." Prince Shwebomin AN exiled Burmese prince is living and working as a teacher in Leytonstone.

Speaking exclusively to the Guardian, HRH Prince Shwebomin, the Crown Prince of Burma, has told of his 43 heart-breaking years of exile from his family and country.

The 56-year-old prince, head of a 250-year-old royal dynasty, left Burma aged 13, alone and under a shroud of secrecy.

His uncle decided the future king's life would be in danger from the military government if he stayed.

He said: "I had to go, I had no choice. As the oldest of five boys I was considered the most important. I was someone who had to be protected at all costs.

"I had lived in Burma under military rule for 18 months before I left. It was very hard and oppressive."

In July 1961, Prince Shwebomin saw and spoke to his parents and four younger brothers for the last time before boarding a flight to England.

He said: "I've not really had any contact since then. The letters we sent to each other were always steamed open by the authorities. I never called them, I was not allowed to.

"I lost complete contact with the family some time in 1970. I really don't know what happened to my parents or to my brothers. I found out around this time my parents had died.

"I believe they were possibly poisoned or they were denied medical aid when they needed it.

"I managed to find out my brothers were still alive, but the family has been broken up."

Arriving in England, the prince was taken in by family friends in Berkshire. He excelled academically and enjoyed travelling