There are reports today that Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy are once again on collision course for breakup.

Chelsy Davy in despondent mood

Last year’s split came as a result of Chelsy’s despair over Harry hardly ever visiting her at Leeds University, where she suffered considerable initial culture shock over the city’s cold, dark climate and generally grubby demeanour.

However, that breakup was later put down to the couple creating a cover story for Harry’s top secret mission to Afghanistan. Whatever the real reason, it’s well known there were tensions in their often sparky relationship.

Now, with Chelsy flying off to South Africa at the end of her first year of a two-year post-graduate course in law and business, the same complaint seems to be repeating itself.

With Harry on a training exercise with the Army, some believe his new passion for being around “military types” is interfering with his long-term need for Chelsy.

The couple are set to holiday together soon and friends hope they can sort out their difficulties as they have in the past. Friends of Chelsy and Kate Middleton have said that young men become “impossible” when they join the Army. The intense comradely pull to be part of the group can easily destroy other non-military relationships.

A friend of Harry is reported as snapping, “Harry is incorrigible. He is at that age when he likes drinking with his mates. Chelsy will have to resign herself to that or it will be over.”

This powerful influence on both Harry and to some extent Prince William has apparently convinced some courtiers that the Royal brothers need to be exposed to other lifestyles.

William’s new press officer is likely to be very different from the Equerry and military minder types to which they have been long exposed.

Last week it was Royal Ascot, this week and next it’s Wimbledon. With such entertainment on offer during a packed summer season, it’s not surprising that Royal news is all about sport.

It doesn’t help, of course, that Princes William and Harry are mostly away on military service, while their girlfriends are either keeping a low profile or completing university exams.

So, what’s happening this week? Kate Middleton’s sister Pippa, now working as a party organizer, gave Ascot a miss last week, as did the rest of her family, despite rumours to the contrary. She will, however, visit Wimbledon this week:

“I’ve not been to Ascot because I don’t like racing, but I love tennis and I’m going to get along some time [this] week.”

Perhaps the same reasoning applies to Kate and, just as in previous years, she will make a regal appearance in the Royal Box.

There’s also some chatter around that Pippa is still seeing old uni chum and flatmate, George Percy, heir to the Duke of Northumberland. “It’s true we’re often seen together, but we’re not going out, we are just very old friends,” she said, modestly.

Royal Ascot opened today with a cracking card of great racing and star performers.

The procession of Royal Landau at Royal Ascot today

As usual it was opened by the Royal procession of carriages along the course from Windsor, led by the Queen and Prince Philip, who seemed in great form.

The Queen and Prince Philip in the first carriage

The second of the four Landaus carried the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall together with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. I’m told that all three ladies wore hats by Philip Treacy. Can that be a record? Even so, they all looked a little glum in that carriage.

Prince Charles and Camilla with Beatrice and Eugenie

Apart from the Princesses, none of the younger Royals was present, although Zara Phillips is expected. Princess Anne arrived on foot rather than in a carriage.

Perhaps Kate Middleton and even Chelsy Davy will be along on Ladies Day.

Although she didn’t raise a fist in anger all evening, Kate Middleton was the undoubted star of the Boodles Boxing Ball at the Royal Lancaster Hotel.

Outshining all others — even the glamorous Chelsy Davy, sultry in blue — Kate stood out among a distinguished audience comprising members of the Royal Family and other guests, who were there to support their favourite amateur boxers raise money for charity.

Attending on the arm of Prince William, one newspaper even referred to Kate and her boyfriend as “the Royal couple”. What does it know that we don’t?

Prince Harry and Chelsy sat at another table. Both couples hit the dancefloor to conclude the evening.