Blair calls for privacy over royal split

Updated 14.15 Sun Apr 15 2007

Tony Blair has urged people to stop speculating about the royal break-up and "let them get on with their lives".

Prince William and Kate Middleton have remained tight-lipped about the end of their relationship but speculation continues to mount.

Prince William and former girlfriend Kate Middleton have remained tight-lipped about their relationship break-up but speculation continues to mount

Mr Blair declared that, from his own experience of royal stories, most of what is written about the reasons behind their break-up would be "complete nonsense".

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.

"I think, now it has been announced, they should be allowed to get on with their lives."

The pair, who met at St Andrews University are reported to have made an "amicable agreement" to end their long-term relationship.

On Saturday, the Sun newspaper quoted sources which suggested that the split was caused by the huge pressures on the young couple and because of the time William has devoted to Army life.

The couple were widely tipped to one day tie the knot, with speculation mounting after Kate attended William's graduation parade at Sandhurst in December.

Miss Middleton faced a barrage of press outside her home on her birthday in January and recently lodged a complaint with the Press Complaint Commission over alleged harassment, which she later settled.

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