Prince William / Kate Middleton

[Mike]

This BBC article is about the recent split. I sort of feel sorry for them because it is never easy to break up with someone and now they are being splashed across the national news. I personally think Ms Middleton has had a lucky escape and will probably have a easier life without the media attention.

[Claire]

It was the lead story on yesterday's BBC prime time news which i think is ridiculous. clearly people dying in iraq and the north atlantic is less newsworthy.

[mr_e]

I can imagine the BBC will get a few complaints if that's the case. I managed to avoid any knowledge of it until Mike told me last night.

Unfortunately, the public demand dictates that it is more newsworthy than it should be, but I'm still suprised that the BBC bowed to the pressure and gave it major coverage. Unless it was just a slow day for news?

[Fez]

Unfortunately, the public demand dictates that it is more newsworthy than it should be

what public pressure? the only people who seemed interested in this story are tabloid editors, and i fail to see why the prince's lovelife its in the public interest anyway - he's never going to get married if everytime he meets a girl there's an army of photograhers waiting to pounce

[mr_e]

We could end up getting into quite a complex debate here on whether or not the media responds to or creates demand. Probably both to a degree.

[Mike]

I would say they are responding to a demand of the people to know about 'things'. It would also be said that the items they choose to portray are creating the individual interest!

[Lizzie]

Interest in the royal family has always been and will always be !!! Although I feel sorry for William, as he was born into the role rather than choose celebrity, it's the price he pays for such a privelidged existence !!

Personally, if I'm honest with myself, their is a part of me that is interested- and I don't think I'm alone here !!

[Andy]

I feel sorry for both of them because their relationship was effectively doomed from the start. I don't think the royal family wanted another Diana and that is what Kate was beginning to become with the press intrusion - it must have been damn tough on her with the first serious boyfriend to be one of the most eligible batchelors in the world. Privacy would be a no no. I also feel sorry for Wlliam because lets face it, he went out with her and maybe that was all he wanted at the time - suddenly he's got massive pressure and he may have done the honourable thing before it got messy with kids and marriage.