Prince Charles and his wife Camilla Parker-Bowles's car was surrounded by angry student protesters in London on Thursday.

Nearly two dozen demonstrators, protesting a huge tuition fee hike, kicked the prince's car on Regent Street, in the heart of London's shopping district. According to reports, the couple was unharmed but the protesters fought with police, threw paint and smashed windows.

"We can confirm that their Royal Highnesses' car was attacked by protesters on the way to their engagement at the London Palladium this evening," a spokesman for the prince said. "Their Royal Highnesses are unharmed."

The protest, which started out calmly, became heated as the debate in the House of Commons over the tuition hike died down. By late Thursday afternoon, students were throwing sticks and setting off fireworks.

According to authorities, nine police officers and 22 demonstrators were injured, and 15 protesters were arrested on various charges, including assaulting a police officer and drunk and disorderly conduct.