by Akan Ido

Prince Harry has split up with his girlfriend Cressida Bonas only a month after she attended an official engagement with him for the first time.

The couple embraced in front of cameras, prompting speculation they might be about to get engaged.

But their relationship is said to have become strained in recent weeks, with a report in US magazine People suggesting Miss Bonas had become too ‘needy’ for the royal.

That was strongly denied by sources close to the couple who confirmed their separation to the Mail last night.

A friend insisted that the split was ‘very much an amicable one’ and that they had parted as friends.

‘Unfortunately it is true, they have split up. But this suggestion that the prince supposedly “dumped” Cressida because she was “too needy” is so wide of the mark,’ they said.

‘It is a very amicable split and they are still very much the best of friends. They have just decided to go their separate ways.’

The source said that Cressida, 25, was keen to ‘focus on her career’ – she recently graduated from the Laban school of dance and is currently working for a marketing company in Soho while deciding what to do next.

‘Cressida has decided she wants to focus on her career and Harry is really keen that she is allowed to get on with her life,’ they said.

‘He is furious at this suggestion that the split was in any way because she was relying too much on him. Cressida is one of the most independent people he knows.’