Interest in Kate continues despite split

The public's interest in Kate Middleton will continue even though she is no longer Prince William's girlfriend, PR Guru Max Clifford has warned.

Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday urged people to let William and Kate get on with their lives, claiming most of the coverage about their shock break up would be "nonsense".

But Mr Clifford said it was unlikely the public would quickly lose interest.

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?

"And it will be the same for her and everybody she's seen with. The next boyfriend will get a massive amount of attention."

He predicted Prince William would now find himself "in an impossible position" as women - some genuine, some not - line up to be his next girlfriend.

Speculation about the break-up prompted Mr Blair to call for the pair to be left alone.

He said: "I think, in respect of Prince William, they are a young couple. We have had the announcement. Fine.

"They should be left alone now without reams of stuff being written that I can assure you, from my experience of royal stories, most of which will be complete nonsense."

It is understood lawyers acting for Kate's family have already asked for the press to leave her and other family members alone and said they will not be making any comment.

She spent the weekend at her parents' Berkshire home and was spotted leaving there briefly yesterday, while William was pictured apparently drowning his sorrows.

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