Prince Edward

The promoter of a London concert abruptly canceled by Placido Domingo last month is suing the opera star for $145,000, it was announced yesterday. "It is a sad day when one has to sue an artist one respects so much," said promoter Geoffrey Kruger. Domingo's London agent refused to comment on the suit. A day before the Dec. 17 concert, the singer pulled out complaining that the ticket prices - $22 to $72 - were too high. But Kruger said Domingo canceled because less than half the 8,000 tickets available had been sold and because Luciano Pavarotti sold out the same venue in August.

The Sultan of Brunei, probably the world's richest person, yesterday marked the 25th year of his reign by riding through the streets of the capital in a gold-encrusted chariot pulled by 40 men. The smiling sultan (estimated wealth: $37 billion), draped in royal yellow, sat on a throne topped with a parasol and waved to many of his 261,000 subjects. The 46-year-old ruler, in a 10- minute speech, pledged $1 million to aid Muslims of Bosnia-Herzegovina. He is one of the world's last absolute monarchs; he has two wives, nine children and lives in a 1,778-room palace.

Prince Edward yesterday broke with generations of British royal family tradition by announcing that he would not, after all, pursue a full-time military career. Ending a week of intense speculation about his future, Edward told his commanding officer at the Royal Marine base in Devon that he had decided to withdraw from the rigorous training course he began only four months ago. Buckingham Palace said Edward, 22, handed in his resignation "with great regret" but had concluded that he did not want to make the service his career.

I've had my shot at being a sex bomb. It's someone else's turn now. - Sharon Stone, on playing second fiddle to Lolita Davidovich in "Intersection" LESS HORSING AROUND FOR CHUCK CUTS BACK ON SADDLE TIME AFTER MUM'S MISHAP BritRoyal watchers around the world are breathing sighs of relief today. No, Princess Diana hasn't decided to return to work. No, Fergie hasn't persuaded Andrew that toe-sucking is a normal part of one's relationship with a financial adviser.

YOU SAY YOUR NAME IS EDWARD WHAT? It's looking like the youngest Windsor kid may have a job and a girlfriend. On the first point, you may be wondering just how did Prince Edward, 23, the Queen of England's baby boy, the one who dropped out of the Royal Marines last year, break into the theater with a job, however low-level, with Andrew Lloyd "Cats" Webber's Really Useful Theater Company? A command performance. The prince rang up Webber and asked him to create a musicale for a get-together they were having at the castle for his mom's 60th birthday back in '86, the New York Daily News reports.

He could have worked out anywhere, but rocker Bruce Springsteen chose Fairmount's no-frills Lifesport gym to boost his biceps Saturday. In town for two sold-out shows at the Tower, the Boss showed up unannounced for a weightlifting session. According to Lifesport employee Phil Tolentino, Springsteen mostly worked his upper body, bench-pressing 185 pounds. "He's a strong, fit guy, particularly for a rock star," says Tolentino. The gym visit was arranged through a neighborhood massage therapist used by Springsteen when he's in town.

John F. Kennedy Jr. announced yesterday a nationwide search for an artist to create a memorial to his father that will stand on the grounds of the Massachusetts Statehouse in Boston. The search will be conducted by a state legislative commission, which plans to unveil the winning entry on May 29, 1987, the 70th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's birth. "My family is deeply honored by this interest," said Kennedy, 26. "He dedicated his life to public service. " He called the choice of the statehouse as the memorial site a "very special honor . . . This is such an incredible building.

but Britain's Prince Edward seems determined to make greyhound racing the pastime of princes. The youngest son of Queen Elizabeth is lending royal gloss to a once down-market sport. As co-owner of England's top-rated racing dog, Druids Johno, the prince was on hand at Wimbledon Stadium when his animal ran in the Greyhound Derby, dog-racing's richest prize. Druids Johno won his first two heats, and entered the final run-off as the 4-7 favorite. Unfortunately, he could finish no better than second in the 525-yard dash to greyhound glory.

Demonstrating that hope springs eternal - even in the world's most infamously unlucky-at-love family - Britain's Prince Edward announced yesterday that he and his girlfriend for the past five years, Sophie Rhys-Jones, will marry. The couple presented themselves at a London photo op to share a few official sweet nothings. "We've got a very good relationship. Ultimately, we're the best of friends and that's what it's all about," said Edward, 34, the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

In an appeal as futile as a Brit royal pursuing a happy marriage, Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones asked yesterday that the media grant them privacy in which to nurture their embryonic romance. In a letter, Edward, 29, told editors he didn't want the media "destroying that part of my life that I am entitled to regard as private . . . We are not planning to get married. . . . If this changes, we will let you know in a proper and formal manner. " Rhys-Jones' plea came via Brian Maclaurin, her boss at a London public relations outfit.