Pippa Middleton may not be dating heir to 'Harry Potter' castle

Irish Sun (ANI) Saturday 4th February, 2012

Reports that Pippa Middleton is in a 'serious relationship' with an earl who is heir to one of Britain's richest and grandest dukedoms, are in doubt now.

The Sun reported that Middleton is dating George Percy, heir to the ancient Duchy of Northumberland.

His inheritance would include Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, which featured as Hogwarts in the 'Harry Potter' films.

The news of her dating him swiftly travelled across the world as it was picked up by 30 news organisations including USA Today, CBS News, the New York Post, the Telegraph and the Times of India, the Daily Mail reported.

The two have been have been close friends since meeting at Edinburgh University. They are even reported to have had a fling in the final year of their studies in 2008.The speculation about their relationship has persisted since.

After he was seen helping her get over her break up from banker Alex Loudon last year the pair were forced to deny they were an item, insisting they were 'just friends'.

Even Loudon was said to have never been entirely comfortable with her close friendship with Percy.

Middleton and Percy have been confidantes since they shared a flat at Edinburgh University along with Ted Innes Ker, son of the Duke of Roxburghe.

However, spokesmen for both families declined to comment publicly on the speculated relationship, but a Royal source said that the claims were 'unfounded'. (ANI)