Prince returns to army as rumours abound over fairytale split

PRINCE WILLIAM was back with the army yesterday as he continued his military training following his split from long-term love Kate Middleton.

The second in line to the throne resumed his duties at Camp Bovington in Dorset as speculation over the royal breakup continued.

William’s life in the forces was blamed for placing strain on the four-year relationship which many believed would end in a fairytale marriage.

The pair realised “it was over” during a ski break in the resort of Zermatt, Switzerland, last month, The Sun newspaper said.

A friend quoted in the report said they reached a “mature decision” with “no angry words”.

“They were a normal couple who wanted different things,” they said.

There were also claims that William was “dallying” with at least two other girls, as Ms Middleton battled to save their romance.

He has been involved in a serious “flirtation” with a well-connected young woman for four months, the Daily Mail reported.

The newspaper alleged William has been seen kissing and cuddling with an attractive blonde woman in a London nightclub.

But he has managed to keep both women’s identities secret and neither is among the string of names to be publicly linked with the prince in recent months, according to the report.

The paper said, William began effectively acting as a single man after Ms Middleton revealed her “devastation” that an expected announcement of their engagement never came in February.

PR guru Max Clifford said the public interest in Ms Middleton would not disappear even though she is no longer Prince William’s girlfriend.

He said: “Everybody will be trying to find out why it happened. Her friends will be approached by everybody asking how does she feel, what’s gone on, what do you know?”

Bookmakers are offering odds of 20/1 that Prince William will marry by the end of the year.

Odds of Ms Middleton being reconciled with the Prince and walking down the aisle are set at 12/1.