Chelsy Davy, Prince Harry’s girlfriend, is currently on a two-week work experience placement at swish law firm Farrer and Co., Lincoln’s Inn Fields in London.

Farrer just happens to be the Queen’s solicitors. They represented her during the recent Queengate row with the BBC. Since the firm only ever takes students from Oxbridge, the work indicates how well regarded Chelsy is with the Royal Family.

Someone close to the scene commented, “These City law firms only ever interview Oxbridge graduates and, normally speaking, someone from Leeds [University] would not get a look-in. This isn’t because the firms look down on other universities, it’s simply because they consider that Oxbridge fulfils all their needs, so why bother to broaden the net?”

Of course, a word in their ear by a figure close to their most prestigious client would not go unheard.

Contrast this with the fate of Kate Middleton, once the leading light of the two Royal girlfriends.

With Kate’s beau, Prince William, signed up to a potential seven years away as a search and rescue helicopter pilot, Kate has disappeared from view. Her job in the small, family party business now seems almost insignificant in comparison with Chelsy’s high-flying London legal outing.

Last week, Kate’s mother, Carole Middleton, spoke to the Daily Telegraph and complained at how her family, its business and her “two other children” were being compromised by the publicity and press intrusions.

Could it be that, in the light of William’s SAR decision, Kate has decided that the relationship is going nowhere, and has quietly called it off for the sake of her family?

It would be a sensible decision for a woman not far short of 30, and the lack of fanfare and open grievance, a relief for the Prince.

Earlier Kate was reported to be going to Sandringham on Boxing Day. It will be interesting to see if that date is kept.

With the young Royals getting plenty of stick — again — for partying through a recession, another situation is beginning to assert itself.

Prince William and Harry’s “farewell” party at the Whisky Mist nightclub was notable for the absence of Kate Middleton.

The bash was held to see them off before leaving for South Africa to take part in a dangerous 1000-mile motorcycle ride for charity,

Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy were there, as were the now ubiquitous Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Even Paris Hilton and Christine Aguilera (pictured) made the effort.

There could be many reasons why Kate didn’t attend, of course, but in the context of recent events, it does seem strange.

The Prince recently decided to spend the next seven years as a helicopter pilot in the RAF’s Search and Rescue unit based in various remote locations. Instead of settling down next year to Royal duties and an intensive period learning how to be King, he surprised both Clarence House and the Palace by his abrupt decision.

Since then, Kate has taken a decidedly back seat, working full-time for her parents’ business, Party Pieces. Her only recent appearance was a rather ungainly performance at a rollerskating charity function she organized herself. A revealing fall drew a lot of unfavourable comments from the press.

Prince William and Kate Middleton in happier times

Has this relationship now run its course? Did William tell Kate, “Let’s see how we feel when I’ve finished with the RAF in 2016.”

In the meantime, perhaps, both are free to go their own ways? Is this a low-key split which will have no announcement and few leaks from insiders?

A lot of people think so, including those of us who have supported this couple through the past three years.

Prince William (pictured, right) and Prince Harry will after all take part in a dangerous 1000-mile charity motorcycle rally through South Africa.

Clarence House confirmed, “The Princes are looking forward to taking part in this arduous motorcycle ride.”

It will be an eight-day ride later this month in an attempt to emulate actor Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman who rode from John O’Groats to Cape Town in their TV series The Long Way Down.

Now we know the reason Prince Harry attempted and passed his motorbike test after taking an intensive course this summer. It was, it seems, Harry’s idea to raise money for charities, including his own Sentebale, based in Lesotho, and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

This will not be an easy ride by any stretch of the imagination. The brothers will sleep rough as they cross some of the toughest terrain on the continent.

They will, of course, be accompanies at all times by up to six armed police protection officers.

The ride is being sponsored by Enduro Africa. Each participant will be provided with a Honda CRF 230s, a light 200cc trail bike easy to manoeuvre.

The organizer of the event, Simon Smith, says, “It’s going to be one of the hardest and most demanding things they will ever have done in their lives and at night they are going to struggle to get off their bikes as the pain will be so bad. At times they will be sitting on their bikes looking up at a 60 degree slope wondering how the hell they are going to get up it – not even realizing there is a deep river crossing to get through on the other side.

“It is a very dangerous route and they will undoubtedly collect a fair few bumps and bruises along the way.”

Harry recently returned from training in Canada to be with his girlfriend Chelsy Davy, who needed hospital treatment to remove her wisdom teeth.

William is currently working at the Ministry of Defence, before moving on to the SAS later in the year.

William and Kate at Austrian wedding
Although Kate Middleton has attended two Royal weddings alone this year, it’s nearly three years since Prince William joined her.

For more than a year, the couple appear to have had a marked reluctance to be seen together at formal occasions. That has changed in recent months and they are now regularly, if sparingly, spotted at functions in Britain and abroad.

On Saturday both were in Saltzburg, Austria, for the nuptials of their mutual friend Chiara Hunt, sister of Olivia Hunt who went to St Andrew’s University with them.

Kate was svelte in a knee-length dress and fitted jacket. The golden couple seemed happy to be photographed together and were thoroughly relaxed on one of their rare public outings together.

Singer James Blunt and TV presenter Ben Fogle, who is married to the bride’s other sister Marina, were also guests.

BBC pulls Diana documentary
After spending £200,000 ($350,000) on a new documentary about Diana, Princess of Wales, the BBC has decided to cancel it a year after the project began.

The film was presumably intended to update her biography in the light of the many new revelations arising out of the long and exhaustive inquest held by Lord Justice Scott Baker.

Both the BBC and Buckingham Palace denied that any pressure had been applied.

BBC produces exclusive Prince Charles 60th film
The BBC has been granted exclusive access to the Prince of Wales for a film marking his 60th birthday in November.

The event is being celebrated in style. Both Kate Middleton and Chelsy Davy, girlfriends of Prince William and Prince Harry, have been invited to a party and ball at Buckingham Palace — the first time either has attended such an event.

We must hope the BBC is careful with its editing this time around. Another bad splice of intimate footage and it could lose its Royal franchise forever.

Prince Harry gets motorbike licence
It is being reported that Prince Harry has obtained a full motorbiking licence and intends following his brother William into the superbike league.

The Prince was shown messing about on an old Army bike in a recent film shot when he was deployed to Afghanistan last winter.

As yet he has not bought a machine, but has access to William’s bike, which he rarely uses now.

William’s daredevil antics on two wheels brought protests from his protection team who found it difficult to keep up with him. He finally agreed to give it up when worries about his safety went all the way up to the Prince of Wales.

Harry is said to be even more expert than his brother and much more daring. How long before he faces a similar injunction, we wonder?