Her Royal Hotness Pippa Middleton Is Back on the Market!

Kate Middleton's younger sister just became Britain's most eligible woman after splitting with longtime beau Alex Loudon

By Gina Serpe Jun 13, 2011 2:37 PMTags
E! Placeholder Image

It's safe to say the bar for any potential in-laws has been set high in the Middleton family. Which means Pippa Middleton has her work cut out for her.

Kate Middleton's kid sister, she of the infamous royal wedding rearview who's nearly surpassed the newly minted duchess in racking up the column inches in the past few months, is now single, having split with her broker boyfriend—and royal wedding escort—Alex Loudon.

As if we didn't all see that one coming. So what happened to cause her breakup? And what about that hot young (and, um, mega rich) Brit she's been frolicking around Europe with lately?

No, sadly we don't mean Prince Harry (sorry, imaginations of the world), even though the duo was just spotted cozily sharing tea and cakes in London's Troubadour pub. But the mystery man does so happen to be the son of one of the richest men in Britain, whose wealth reportedly puts that of the royal family to shame. But we'll get back to that.

"It is common knowledge in their close circle of friends that Pippa and Alex have recently split up," a source close to the couple told London's Sunday Times.

The Pipster's newfound celebrity was reportedly a major factor in her breakup with Loudon, though it's unclear if that's because 30-year-old Alex, a former pro cricket player, started feeling insecure, or because Pippa's britches got a little tight (what with her getting too big for them and all).

In any case, if the 27-year-old sister-in-law to Prince William hasn't already moved on, then she's at least found solace in the arms of a former beau, George Percy. The duo not only used to date while attending Edinburgh University together, but they were also housemates. (Sound familiar, anyone?)

Percy, who just so happens to be the son of the Duke of Northumberland, has also been racking up some tabloid space these past months, having hosted (and rowed) Pippa and some of her friends at his Spanish home last month, as well as accompanying Middleton to dinners out in London and tennis games at the French Open.

Whether it's love all for them remains to be seen.