Royal crumpet! Artist creates collage of Pippa Middleton using 15,000 breakfast snacks

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Tasty: Pippa Middleton's bottom and face made from a staggering 15,000 crumpets


It took 15,000 crumpets and 24-hours of work from more than a dozen tireless workers.

But this ingenious tribute to arguably Britain's most famous face and bottom using one of the UK's favourite breakfasts is complete.

Cheeky artist Laura Hadland has proved Royal bridesmaid Pippa Middleton really is a tasty bit of crumpet, using more than 100 jars of spreads, including butter, jam and Marmite to create the shading on the 13 metre by 20 metre giant mosaics.


Working up an appetite: A team of 15 helpers spent over 24 hours designing creating the collages of Pippa's face and bottom


The crumpets themselves weighed more than a ton.

Laura, 28, recreated the iconic wedding day picture after Pippa topped a Beefeater Grill poll to find the female celebrity Britons would most like to 'wake up to breakfast with'.

She secured 21 per cent of the vote in the survey of 2,000 people.


Famous: Workers put the finishing touches to the collage, based in part on the iconic image of Pippa entering Westminster Abbey behind her sister (right)


David Murdin, from Beefeater Grill, said: 'It's no surprise that someone as striking as Pippa has ranked as the country's top bit of crumpet.

'Sadly we may not be able to guarantee Pippa as part of our breakfast offering to guests but feel confident they'll enjoy our very own tasty crumpets and spreads, none-the-less.'

Fearne Cotton came second in the poll ,with 17 per cent of the vote, and Cheryl Cole came third, with 15 per cent.

The least favoured breakfast guests were reality TV star Katie Price and newlywed Kate Moss, both 3 per cent, and Caggie Dunlop, of Made In Chelsea fame, with two per cent.


Pretty: Pippa rides in the carriage from Westminster Abbey towards Buckingham Palace with bridesmaid Margarita Armstrong-Jones on her sister's wedding day


source: dailymail

Royal crumpet! Artist creates collage of Pippa Middleton using 15,000 breakfast snacks

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Tasty: Pippa Middleton's bottom and face made from a staggering 15,000 crumpets


It took 15,000 crumpets and 24-hours of work from more than a dozen tireless workers.

But this ingenious tribute to arguably Britain's most famous face and bottom using one of the UK's favourite breakfasts is complete.

Cheeky artist Laura Hadland has proved Royal bridesmaid Pippa Middleton really is a tasty bit of crumpet, using more than 100 jars of spreads, including butter, jam and Marmite to create the shading on the 13 metre by 20 metre giant mosaics.


Working up an appetite: A team of 15 helpers spent over 24 hours designing creating the collages of Pippa's face and bottom


The crumpets themselves weighed more than a ton.

Laura, 28, recreated the iconic wedding day picture after Pippa topped a Beefeater Grill poll to find the female celebrity Britons would most like to 'wake up to breakfast with'.

She secured 21 per cent of the vote in the survey of 2,000 people.


Famous: Workers put the finishing touches to the collage, based in part on the iconic image of Pippa entering Westminster Abbey behind her sister (right)


David Murdin, from Beefeater Grill, said: 'It's no surprise that someone as striking as Pippa has ranked as the country's top bit of crumpet.

'Sadly we may not be able to guarantee Pippa as part of our breakfast offering to guests but feel confident they'll enjoy our very own tasty crumpets and spreads, none-the-less.'

Fearne Cotton came second in the poll ,with 17 per cent of the vote, and Cheryl Cole came third, with 15 per cent.

The least favoured breakfast guests were reality TV star Katie Price and newlywed Kate Moss, both 3 per cent, and Caggie Dunlop, of Made In Chelsea fame, with two per cent.


Pretty: Pippa rides in the carriage from Westminster Abbey towards Buckingham Palace with bridesmaid Margarita Armstrong-Jones on her sister's wedding day


source: dailymail

Anything you can do, Sis: Pippa now rivals Kate in selling power as £129 red Hobbs dress sells out

By Tamara Abraham


Retail royalty: Pippa Middleton's Hobbs NW3 dress sold out on the retailer's website after she was seen wearing it two days in a row - for a shopping trip on Tuesday, left, and again for Wimbledon on Wednesday, right


Pippa Middleton loves her favourite red dress so much, she's worn it two days running. And it seems we love it too, as it has now sold out across the UK.

Hobbs NW3's Wyldes shift was a bargain at just £89, reduced in the summer sales from £129, but once the Duchess of Cambridge's sister was seen wearing it for both a shopping trip on Tuesday and Wimbledon yesterday, the retailer's website was slammed with orders.

For the lucky few that managed to get their hands on one of the frocks, which has military-style buttons at the shoulders and pocket, it promises to serve them well.

The 27-year-old proved just how versatile the dress is, teaming it with flats for a trip to Russell & Bromley on the King's Road, then ramping up the style factor the following day with tan espadrille wedges and sunglasses.

With such a bright hue, it is important to keep the accessories simple, and Miss Middleton did just that.

On both occasions she wore simple gold hoop earrings and carried one of her trusty Modalu bags - which, incidentally, also sold out when she was spotted carrying one after the Royal Wedding.

The consumer reaction to Pippa's clothing is beginning to mirror that of her sister's.

Almost everything Catherine has worn since her engagement has sparked a similar response, and Reiss has even had to reissue old stock due to customer demand.

But while the High Street's mass-market appeal helps us identify with the glamorous siblings, they are wise to use high-end designers from time-to-time as well.

Love match: Pippa arrived at Wimbledon yesterday with boyfriend Alex Loudon

Tender: The pair looked loved-up as they watched the match between Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga


Alice Temperley, who designed the emerald green gown that Miss Middleton wore to her sister's evening wedding reception, has said that despite customer demand, it was a one-off piece and she will not be making replicas.

She told the Daily Telegraph: 'We'd made it specifically for her and I wasn't going to start trying to capitalise on that.'

Smiles all round: Pippa appeared in good spirits as she arrived at Wimbledon with her mother Carole


source:dailymail

Anything you can do, Sis: Pippa now rivals Kate in selling power as £129 red Hobbs dress sells out

By Tamara Abraham


Retail royalty: Pippa Middleton's Hobbs NW3 dress sold out on the retailer's website after she was seen wearing it two days in a row - for a shopping trip on Tuesday, left, and again for Wimbledon on Wednesday, right


Pippa Middleton loves her favourite red dress so much, she's worn it two days running. And it seems we love it too, as it has now sold out across the UK.

Hobbs NW3's Wyldes shift was a bargain at just £89, reduced in the summer sales from £129, but once the Duchess of Cambridge's sister was seen wearing it for both a shopping trip on Tuesday and Wimbledon yesterday, the retailer's website was slammed with orders.

For the lucky few that managed to get their hands on one of the frocks, which has military-style buttons at the shoulders and pocket, it promises to serve them well.

The 27-year-old proved just how versatile the dress is, teaming it with flats for a trip to Russell & Bromley on the King's Road, then ramping up the style factor the following day with tan espadrille wedges and sunglasses.

With such a bright hue, it is important to keep the accessories simple, and Miss Middleton did just that.

On both occasions she wore simple gold hoop earrings and carried one of her trusty Modalu bags - which, incidentally, also sold out when she was spotted carrying one after the Royal Wedding.

The consumer reaction to Pippa's clothing is beginning to mirror that of her sister's.

Almost everything Catherine has worn since her engagement has sparked a similar response, and Reiss has even had to reissue old stock due to customer demand.

But while the High Street's mass-market appeal helps us identify with the glamorous siblings, they are wise to use high-end designers from time-to-time as well.

Love match: Pippa arrived at Wimbledon yesterday with boyfriend Alex Loudon

Tender: The pair looked loved-up as they watched the match between Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga


Alice Temperley, who designed the emerald green gown that Miss Middleton wore to her sister's evening wedding reception, has said that despite customer demand, it was a one-off piece and she will not be making replicas.

She told the Daily Telegraph: 'We'd made it specifically for her and I wasn't going to start trying to capitalise on that.'

Smiles all round: Pippa appeared in good spirits as she arrived at Wimbledon with her mother Carole


source:dailymail

There's no Pippa fling, says '100 per cent single' Prince Harry

By Katie Nicholl


Party talk: Prince Harry with an unknown blonde at the Hard Rock Calling festival


Prince Harry has admitted that he is a single man again but says he has no plans to start dating – and has ruled out getting together with Pippa Middleton.

Harry, who has gone through several high-profile splits from girlfriend Chelsy Davy – most recently last month – said he is too busy to go out with anyone at the moment.

The 26-year-old took time out from his duties as an Apache attack helicopter pilot to attend the Hard Rock Calling concert at Hyde Park, London, on Friday night, where he chatted happily with guests backstage.


And despite rumours that he has struck up a close rapport with the Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister since the Royal Wedding in April, Harry said their friendship was strictly platonic.

'Pippa? Ha! No, I am not seeing anyone at the moment. I'm 100 per cent single,' Harry told guests at the Live Nation VIP lounge.

'I'm working a lot at the moment, so dating and watching TV are the last things I have time for.'

Harry also revealed he hopes to enjoy a trip to South Africa this summer. 'I am hoping to get a holiday in August. I haven't been to South Africa in a long time, so maybe I'll go there.'

At the concert, the Prince watched The Killers.

He was also seen partying with his cousins, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice – at one point they all joined the cast of TV show Glee at the Absolute Radio studio, alongside the main stage.

Afterwards, Harry headed to the VIP Hard Rock Cafe restaurant for burgers, chips and mojitos.

A source says: 'Harry spent much of the meal deep in conversation with a group of girls, including an American blonde.

They were discussing his brother and Kate's forthcoming trip to the United States – Harry said he thought they will get along famously there because the Americans are receptive and love confident people.'

Later, he and some friends were driven to a party at Beaufont House, Chelsea.

****************************************

While Harry says he is concentrating fully on his duties as a pilot, the Prince has been urged to switch careers, and become a polo player.

Argentine Gonzalito Pieres, who is ranked the No 2 player in the world, says Harry has what it takes and should turn professional.

'Harry is very good – it is a waste to see him just play exhibition charity matches,' said Gonzalito, 28, at the Rolex polo lunch at Coworth Park, Berkshire.

'There would be many professional teams that would take him. He would be a valuable player.'

Talented: A top coach has said Prince Harry would be a valued player to any polo team


Gonzalito also praised Prince Charles, saying: 'He was very good. My father played with him.'

However, Prince William, who has also been known to enjoy a chukka, should stick to his day job, says Gonzalito.

'William is an OK player, but he is a little slow and too cautious to make it as a professional,' he added.

*********************************************************************
While Pippa Middleton remains close to her old university pal George Percy, George's sister Melissa has become chummy with Chelsy Davy.

Pally: Chelsea Davy is planning to travel with Pippa Middleton's former housemates sister


The pair are even planning to travel across Europe together this summer.

Sources say Chelsy, 25, has been feeling restless since her latest split from Prince Harry.


'Chelsy has been to Ibiza and Barcelona in recent weeks, and is keen to see more of Europe with Missy,' says an insider.

'They got very close in Ibiza when they were clubbing together. Chelsy says she needs to keep busy while she waits for her postgraduate law course to begin in September.'

Lady Melissa, 23, the daughter of the Duke of Northumberland, split from Prince William's friend Thomas van Straubenzee in February.


source:dailymail

There's no Pippa fling, says '100 per cent single' Prince Harry

By Katie Nicholl


Party talk: Prince Harry with an unknown blonde at the Hard Rock Calling festival


Prince Harry has admitted that he is a single man again but says he has no plans to start dating – and has ruled out getting together with Pippa Middleton.

Harry, who has gone through several high-profile splits from girlfriend Chelsy Davy – most recently last month – said he is too busy to go out with anyone at the moment.

The 26-year-old took time out from his duties as an Apache attack helicopter pilot to attend the Hard Rock Calling concert at Hyde Park, London, on Friday night, where he chatted happily with guests backstage.


And despite rumours that he has struck up a close rapport with the Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister since the Royal Wedding in April, Harry said their friendship was strictly platonic.

'Pippa? Ha! No, I am not seeing anyone at the moment. I'm 100 per cent single,' Harry told guests at the Live Nation VIP lounge.

'I'm working a lot at the moment, so dating and watching TV are the last things I have time for.'

Harry also revealed he hopes to enjoy a trip to South Africa this summer. 'I am hoping to get a holiday in August. I haven't been to South Africa in a long time, so maybe I'll go there.'

At the concert, the Prince watched The Killers.

He was also seen partying with his cousins, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice – at one point they all joined the cast of TV show Glee at the Absolute Radio studio, alongside the main stage.

Afterwards, Harry headed to the VIP Hard Rock Cafe restaurant for burgers, chips and mojitos.

A source says: 'Harry spent much of the meal deep in conversation with a group of girls, including an American blonde.

They were discussing his brother and Kate's forthcoming trip to the United States – Harry said he thought they will get along famously there because the Americans are receptive and love confident people.'

Later, he and some friends were driven to a party at Beaufont House, Chelsea.

****************************************

While Harry says he is concentrating fully on his duties as a pilot, the Prince has been urged to switch careers, and become a polo player.

Argentine Gonzalito Pieres, who is ranked the No 2 player in the world, says Harry has what it takes and should turn professional.

'Harry is very good – it is a waste to see him just play exhibition charity matches,' said Gonzalito, 28, at the Rolex polo lunch at Coworth Park, Berkshire.

'There would be many professional teams that would take him. He would be a valuable player.'

Talented: A top coach has said Prince Harry would be a valued player to any polo team


Gonzalito also praised Prince Charles, saying: 'He was very good. My father played with him.'

However, Prince William, who has also been known to enjoy a chukka, should stick to his day job, says Gonzalito.

'William is an OK player, but he is a little slow and too cautious to make it as a professional,' he added.

*********************************************************************
While Pippa Middleton remains close to her old university pal George Percy, George's sister Melissa has become chummy with Chelsy Davy.

Pally: Chelsea Davy is planning to travel with Pippa Middleton's former housemates sister


The pair are even planning to travel across Europe together this summer.

Sources say Chelsy, 25, has been feeling restless since her latest split from Prince Harry.


'Chelsy has been to Ibiza and Barcelona in recent weeks, and is keen to see more of Europe with Missy,' says an insider.

'They got very close in Ibiza when they were clubbing together. Chelsy says she needs to keep busy while she waits for her postgraduate law course to begin in September.'

Lady Melissa, 23, the daughter of the Duke of Northumberland, split from Prince William's friend Thomas van Straubenzee in February.


source:dailymail

'I call him Captain and he calls me Commando,' Are 'close friends' Harry and Pippa on the verge of becoming an item?

By Lauren Paxman


Cheeky sense of humour: Pippa and Harry joked around on the balcony on Buckingham Palace at the Royal Wedding


They are both recently single, and became the UK’s second most talked about couple after joking around on Buckingham Palace’s balcony at the Royal Wedding...

It’s too good to be true, but could Pippa Middleton and Prince Harry be on the verge of becoming an item?

The couple have reportedly met up a handful of times since their siblings got married in April and are said to already have nicknames for each other.


Pippa apparently calls the Prince ‘Captain’ - which is his military rank - while he calls her ‘Commando’, in reference to rumours that she was not wearing any underwear on her sister’s wedding day.

Harry is also said to have ended his best man’s speech with the line: ‘Pippa, call me.’

A royal insider told Grazia that the couple have been helping each other through their break-ups, saying: ‘They speak on the phone all the time and have met up at least five times since the wedding, once for tea at his Clarence House apartments... She thinks he’s got a really cheeky sense of humour.’

They have also gone more public with their budding friendship. The pair turned heads when they turned up at The Troubadour in Chelsea for a hushed tete-a-tete. They stayed in the royal haunt for two hours.

Close friends: Despite their busy schedules, Pippa and Harry have met up and handful of times since their siblings got married


Another source said: ‘He only recently came out of a relationship, of course. He’s been trying to cheer Pippa up.’

We wouldn’t expect anything less from the perfect gentleman.

But if Harry really is interested, he’ll have to join the queue. Now that her long term boyfriend, Alex Loudon, is reportedly off the scene, many of Pippa’s exes have been thrown back into the limelight.

George Percy is currently seen as the most likely replacement. He accompanied Pippa and her friends to Madrid shortly after the wedding, and has offered her a job in his environmental firm.

Another contender for Commando? Pippa Middleton went to watch the tennis at Queen's Club with her ex, and boss, George Percy


Last week the couple were spotted house hunting together at exclusive London property giant, Grosvenor Estates - sparking speculation that they are going to move in together.

Other men apparently after a piece of Pippa include her old friend singer James Blunt, and Prince William’s close friend, Barts nightclub owner Charlie Gilkes - as well as most of the male cast of Made in Chelsea.

Pippa has got her pick of the crop, so will she go for a prince or a pop star?


source:dailymail

'I call him Captain and he calls me Commando,' Are 'close friends' Harry and Pippa on the verge of becoming an item?

By Lauren Paxman


Cheeky sense of humour: Pippa and Harry joked around on the balcony on Buckingham Palace at the Royal Wedding


They are both recently single, and became the UK’s second most talked about couple after joking around on Buckingham Palace’s balcony at the Royal Wedding...

It’s too good to be true, but could Pippa Middleton and Prince Harry be on the verge of becoming an item?

The couple have reportedly met up a handful of times since their siblings got married in April and are said to already have nicknames for each other.


Pippa apparently calls the Prince ‘Captain’ - which is his military rank - while he calls her ‘Commando’, in reference to rumours that she was not wearing any underwear on her sister’s wedding day.

Harry is also said to have ended his best man’s speech with the line: ‘Pippa, call me.’

A royal insider told Grazia that the couple have been helping each other through their break-ups, saying: ‘They speak on the phone all the time and have met up at least five times since the wedding, once for tea at his Clarence House apartments... She thinks he’s got a really cheeky sense of humour.’

They have also gone more public with their budding friendship. The pair turned heads when they turned up at The Troubadour in Chelsea for a hushed tete-a-tete. They stayed in the royal haunt for two hours.

Close friends: Despite their busy schedules, Pippa and Harry have met up and handful of times since their siblings got married


Another source said: ‘He only recently came out of a relationship, of course. He’s been trying to cheer Pippa up.’

We wouldn’t expect anything less from the perfect gentleman.

But if Harry really is interested, he’ll have to join the queue. Now that her long term boyfriend, Alex Loudon, is reportedly off the scene, many of Pippa’s exes have been thrown back into the limelight.

George Percy is currently seen as the most likely replacement. He accompanied Pippa and her friends to Madrid shortly after the wedding, and has offered her a job in his environmental firm.

Another contender for Commando? Pippa Middleton went to watch the tennis at Queen's Club with her ex, and boss, George Percy


Last week the couple were spotted house hunting together at exclusive London property giant, Grosvenor Estates - sparking speculation that they are going to move in together.

Other men apparently after a piece of Pippa include her old friend singer James Blunt, and Prince William’s close friend, Barts nightclub owner Charlie Gilkes - as well as most of the male cast of Made in Chelsea.

Pippa has got her pick of the crop, so will she go for a prince or a pop star?


source:dailymail

Pippa Middleton flies in for charity race in a £1,000 an hour helicopter

By Jane Simpson


Gruelling: with a cap pulled down over her head, Pippa sweats in out with other competitors in the duathlon


As sister of the future queen, Pippa Middleton might be expected to enjoy the odd taste of the high life

But the 27-year-old appeared more royal than many of the Royals themselves, flying in to a charity race in a private helicopter.

In an arrival which would have been more suited to Prince Andrew – noted for clocking up air miles – she touched down at a duathlon in a £1,000-an-hour aircraft.

Grand entrance: Pippa Middleton, second right, and her friends leave the helicopter near the event's starting line before taking part in the 20-mile run and the 30-mile cycle race


The woman with the country’s most talked-about derriere was competing in the Highland Cross Challenge, running and cycling a gruelling 50 miles coast to coast through some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery.

However, although she displayed genuine grit in completing the arduous race, eyebrows were raised by her VIP-style arrival at the start line in the hamlet of Morvich in Kintail, Wester Ross.

Miss Middleton, an overnight sensation after April’s Royal Wedding, had opted to avoid the two-and-a- half-hour car journey from Inverness, instead spending 25 minutes in the air with team mates Rosie Laing and Jake French, and a third unnamed male friend.

They boarded the helicopter, owned by PDG Helicopters, at Inverness airport ahead of the 11am start of the race, which is split into a 20-mile run and a 30-mile cycle. If they had paid the £1,000 hourly rate – the minimum booking – it would have worked out at £250 a head for the trip.

All smiles: Her Royal Hotness looked toned and relaxed as she competed in the Scottish Highlands... she barely even seemed to break a sweat

Sporty: Pippa smiles as she chats with spectators at the event. The sister of the Duchess of Cambridge has lost none of her athletic prowess since she won a sport scholarship to Marlborough College


However, a PDG executive, who was also competing in the race, flew himself to the start line, along with a group of guests.

The company said one of its helicopters had made two trips to the race – one with the boss and the other a private group. It refused to say which flight Miss Middleton was on.

Organisers of the Highland Cross Challenge said they did not pay anything towards the helicopter trip. Event treasurer John Fraser said: ‘Every penny we have goes towards good causes and we would not pay for something so extravagant.

Smile: Pippa said the race, a 50-mile coast-to-coast challenge, was 'tough'


‘It’s the first time Pippa has taken part in the race. She seemed in good spirits. One of her teammates has previously competed. They are very enthusiastic donators.’

Competitors have to commit to raising at least £300 but the trio – who went under the team name The Affric Sprats in recognition of the event’s halfway point, Glen Affric – have a target of £5,000.

All the money raised from the race, which had around 720 competitors, is distributed to organisations throughout the Highlands.

Miss Middleton, who looked tanned and fit, wore a silver baseball hat, black singlet and shorts, and silver and pink running shoes.

In the running: Wearing dark-coloured running clothes, trainers and a cap, the younger sister of the Duchess of Cambridge was a world away from the glamour she oozed at the Royal Wedding


Tired and muddy, she finished the gruelling event in Beauly, ten miles from Inverness on the east coast, at 4.08pm having taken a respectable five hours, eight minutes. She finished in the top 15 ladies out of 160 female competitors.

She said: ‘It was one of the toughest things I have done. I don’t know if I will do it again but I am really pleased to have finished.’

The record for the event is three hours and 13 minutes and has not been broken since 1993.

It is not the first time Miss Middleton, who won a sports scholarship to Marlborough College, has displayed her athletic prowess.

Earlier this year, she earned a medal after completing a triathlon at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.

Just flown in... Pippa and her team mates landed by helicopter at the starting line before starting the mammoth race


source:dailymail

Pippa Middleton flies in for charity race in a £1,000 an hour helicopter

By Jane Simpson


Gruelling: with a cap pulled down over her head, Pippa sweats in out with other competitors in the duathlon


As sister of the future queen, Pippa Middleton might be expected to enjoy the odd taste of the high life

But the 27-year-old appeared more royal than many of the Royals themselves, flying in to a charity race in a private helicopter.

In an arrival which would have been more suited to Prince Andrew – noted for clocking up air miles – she touched down at a duathlon in a £1,000-an-hour aircraft.

Grand entrance: Pippa Middleton, second right, and her friends leave the helicopter near the event's starting line before taking part in the 20-mile run and the 30-mile cycle race


The woman with the country’s most talked-about derriere was competing in the Highland Cross Challenge, running and cycling a gruelling 50 miles coast to coast through some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery.

However, although she displayed genuine grit in completing the arduous race, eyebrows were raised by her VIP-style arrival at the start line in the hamlet of Morvich in Kintail, Wester Ross.

Miss Middleton, an overnight sensation after April’s Royal Wedding, had opted to avoid the two-and-a- half-hour car journey from Inverness, instead spending 25 minutes in the air with team mates Rosie Laing and Jake French, and a third unnamed male friend.

They boarded the helicopter, owned by PDG Helicopters, at Inverness airport ahead of the 11am start of the race, which is split into a 20-mile run and a 30-mile cycle. If they had paid the £1,000 hourly rate – the minimum booking – it would have worked out at £250 a head for the trip.

All smiles: Her Royal Hotness looked toned and relaxed as she competed in the Scottish Highlands... she barely even seemed to break a sweat

Sporty: Pippa smiles as she chats with spectators at the event. The sister of the Duchess of Cambridge has lost none of her athletic prowess since she won a sport scholarship to Marlborough College


However, a PDG executive, who was also competing in the race, flew himself to the start line, along with a group of guests.

The company said one of its helicopters had made two trips to the race – one with the boss and the other a private group. It refused to say which flight Miss Middleton was on.

Organisers of the Highland Cross Challenge said they did not pay anything towards the helicopter trip. Event treasurer John Fraser said: ‘Every penny we have goes towards good causes and we would not pay for something so extravagant.

Smile: Pippa said the race, a 50-mile coast-to-coast challenge, was 'tough'


‘It’s the first time Pippa has taken part in the race. She seemed in good spirits. One of her teammates has previously competed. They are very enthusiastic donators.’

Competitors have to commit to raising at least £300 but the trio – who went under the team name The Affric Sprats in recognition of the event’s halfway point, Glen Affric – have a target of £5,000.

All the money raised from the race, which had around 720 competitors, is distributed to organisations throughout the Highlands.

Miss Middleton, who looked tanned and fit, wore a silver baseball hat, black singlet and shorts, and silver and pink running shoes.

In the running: Wearing dark-coloured running clothes, trainers and a cap, the younger sister of the Duchess of Cambridge was a world away from the glamour she oozed at the Royal Wedding


Tired and muddy, she finished the gruelling event in Beauly, ten miles from Inverness on the east coast, at 4.08pm having taken a respectable five hours, eight minutes. She finished in the top 15 ladies out of 160 female competitors.

She said: ‘It was one of the toughest things I have done. I don’t know if I will do it again but I am really pleased to have finished.’

The record for the event is three hours and 13 minutes and has not been broken since 1993.

It is not the first time Miss Middleton, who won a sports scholarship to Marlborough College, has displayed her athletic prowess.

Earlier this year, she earned a medal after completing a triathlon at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.

Just flown in... Pippa and her team mates landed by helicopter at the starting line before starting the mammoth race


source:dailymail

Sorry chaps, Pippa's STILL dating nice guy Alex Loudon

By Katie Nicholl


Loyal: Friends say that Alex Loudon adores Pippa. The pair make a point of seeing each other privately


When Pippa Middleton made a late-night visit to her former flatmate and close friend George Percy last week, it prompted a flurry of speculation that the brunette had split from her long-term boyfriend Alex Loudon.

But far from being over, her romance with Alex, a talented cricketer and financier, is very much on, The Mail on Sunday has been reliably informed.

Speculation over a split reached fever pitch last weekend when Pippa attended a wedding without Alex and was spotted enjoying a dinner with George, her former flatmate at Edinburgh University.


They returned to George’s London house and, after hugging each other goodnight, Pippa was seen leaving shortly after 2am.

Former Etonian Alex, 30, who has not been photographed with Pippa since April’s Royal Wedding, has declined to comment, but a family member said: ‘All the rumours are completely untrue.’

They said the couple, who have been dating for nearly a year, are expected at a family engagement together in a fortnight’s time.

Back on: Pippa and Alex were said to have been going through a rocky patch

Special relationship: Pippa spotted out again with ex-boyfriend George Percy at the French Open


While the rumours have been played down, the pair are understood to have been through a rocky patch in recent weeks.

While Pippa has enjoyed mini-breaks in Madrid and Paris, Alex has been hard at work in London. Pippa also watched the tennis at the Queen’s Club in West London, accompanied by George.

But a university contemporary said: ‘Pippa and George are friends, but that is all. Pippa doesn’t fancy George, she’s very into Alex.

‘Alex is the nicest chap you could meet. He’s incredibly sweet, loyal and adores Pippa, but they make a point of seeing each other very privately and don’t go to flash places.’


source:dailymail