Pippa and Harry get tongues wagging

Prince Harry has been getting together with Pippa Middleton - but sources are split on whether it is a romance or just friendship.

British tabloid newspapers yesterday reported the pair had nicknames for each other (she's Commando; he's Captain) and had grown close since the wedding of Pippa's sister, Kate, to Harry's brother, William.

Pippa - nicknamed "Her Royal Hotness" by the tabloids despite holding no title - recently split from long-term boyfriend Alex Loudon.

"They speak on the phone all the time and have met up at least five times since the wedding, once for tea at his Clarence House apartments," a royal insider told Grazia magazine.

"She thinks he's got a really cheeky sense of humour."

Ever since Pippa stole the limelight from her sister at the royal wedding, Harry has shown affection for her. He even ended his best man's speech: "Pippa, call me."

But, according to another source, it isn't romance in the air, just friendship.

"She only recently came out of a relationship, of course. He's been trying to cheer Pippa up."

Pippa's former boyfriend George Percy has been photographed with her in recent weeks, and singers James Blunt and Usher are also fans.