Rumours abound as Chelsy Davy breezed into Heathrow, apparently on her way back to Leeds University, where’s she’s a post-grad in business and law.

The conspicuous absence of Prince Harry at the airport has drawn a lot of speculation, but none more so than Chelsy’s private life. Mention is made of a liaison with “a certain rugby player at Leeds Carnegie”, and another hints darkly that Chelsy is not back in Britain “to see the hapless Harry”.

We can only await developments on this one. Harry may be on special duties with the Army and simply not available for social activities right now.

Kate Middleton
Meanwhile, back in the Home Counties, Prince William’s girl Kate has been spotted at the O2 Arena (think Millennium Dome) watching the hit show Afrika, Afrika, featuring wonders like the Snake Girl contortionist and a man who wriggles bodily through the head of a tennis racket. Rivetting stuff, doubtless.

It’s said that William asked some close friends to accompany her to the show. They were the ubiquitous Guy Pelly — with girlfriend Susanna Warren — and Thomas van Straubenzee.

Kate dazzled the crowd with her leopard-print outfit in her trademark black and white. The event shows yet again how attentive William is to her comfort while he’s away at RAF Cranwell training to be a pilot.

Kate Middleton launched her new photographic career yesterday by setting up an exhibition of limited edition shots of celebrities by Alistair Morrison. She organized the event, which was in aid of UNICEF, together with her sister Pippa at The Shop at Bluebird in Chelsea.

Kate Middleton and Prince William arriving

Kate made a big impression by mingling with a well-attended guest list, including Laura Lopes, pregnant daughter of the Duchess of Cornwall and — eventually — Prince William.

Despite the excellence of the photography on display, the talk of the show was the huge ring she wore on her left hand. Was it from Prince William, everyone was asking?

Although he arrived late, William made amends by taking Kate, Pippa, their mother and Guy Pelly for dinner.

Photographer Alistair Morrison tipped Kate as a future star in the art world. “She takes beautiful, detailed photographs,” he said. “She has a huge talent and a great eye. I’m sure she will go far.”

Kate also attended a book launch this week, suggesting perhaps that high-class art events have now replaced trips to familiar old haunts and merry wateringholes.

On Monday Chelsy Davy looked terrible. Her normally bright, cheery features were distinctly puffy and drooping like an old woman’s.

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday, she collapsed with laughter as a photographer following her fell over, injuring his knee and breaking a camera lens. But at least it brightened Chelsy’s day.

Contrary to tabloid reports, Prince Harry’s “former” girlfriend, now studying at Leeds University, has not quit college and flown home to South Africa. Wisely, she has decided to stay on to “clear her head”. She may well see things differently in a few days.

However, Prince Harry has not given up on her. A source reveals that Guy Pelly’s 19 year-old girlfriend, Susanna Warren, is trying to broker a reconciliation between them. Susanna, who has become close to Chelsy, is a student at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, a short trip across the Pennines from Leeds.

A friend has said, “Susanna is trying to convince Chelsy to treat her planned trip home to South Africa as a short break and time to reconsider, rather than a move back home. Harry hasn’t given up hope. He is desperately trying to get Chelsy back and fight for their relationship but he thinks another girl will be better at softening Chelsy at the moment.”

Maybe the UN Security Council should be asked to intervene. After all, relations between England and South Africa may well be in jeopardy.

Guy Pelly, the great friend of Prince William and Prince Harry, has apparently outed himself.

Pelly was once accused of introducing Prince Harry to drugs and sleazy bars, but this has been strenuously denied by all concerned.

Known occasionally as the Prince’s “court jester” because of his tendency to outrageous pranks and stripping off in public, Pelly seems to have deliberately courted commentary recently, as well as a gentleman in a pink sweater. The Daily Mail gives us this snippet :

He has been dubbed the court jester of the set after he was wrongly blamed for introducing a youthful Prince Harry to cannabis and latenight drinking.

Last night Pelly was led by the hand past waiting snappers by a gentleman wearing jeans and a pink jumper.

Is he hoping to start a trend that could spell the end for the traditional muscular minder?

Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

Is William right to be so close to this man of many parts?