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| Pippa: single again |
Pippa Middleton has split with long-term boyfriend Alex Loudon, according to reports.
The Duchess of Cambridge’s sister, 28, is said to have parted with the Old Etonian City broker after a string of rows.
Middleton and Loudon have reportedly endured a difficult relationship since she was thrust into the spotlight by her appearance as maid of honour at the royal wedding in April.
Two months ago they reportedly stunned fellow guests at a friend’s wedding by having a blazing row. One source told the Sun: “She and Alex split briefly in the summer — but this time it’s over. They are barely speaking.”
Middleton and Loudon, 31, who captained the England under 15 and under 19 cricket teams but quit the sport in 2007 to work as a financier, had been seen at Wimbledon with her parents. This was shortly after rumours about their relationship began circulating when she had a three-hour lunch with ex-boyfriend George Percy. She is said to be “just mates” with Prince Harry.
A friend of Loudon said: “The plain truth is Alex adored Pippa but he couldn’t stand the circus that now surrounds her. Nothing is straightforward anymore.”
Meanwhile her friends closed ranks in defence of Middleton, who works for her family’s mail-order firm, Party Pieces. Katie Readman, 23, a close friend of Middleton, said: “I can’t talk about it.” But another said Middleton, who competes in triathlons, was in no rush to find a new boyfriend. “She always goes for sporty guys. Whoever is lucky enough to win her affections will have to be athletic.”
Singer Justin Timberlake, who has dated Hollywood stars such as Cameron Diaz, admits to drooling over her. “We American males love Pippa... I’m going to sound like a sleazeball!” he told Esquire magazine.