PRINCE William's move to Bovington Camp and his enjoyment of Bournemouth's nightlife are part of the reason for his spilt from girlfriend Kate Middleton, say royal experts.

The couple's very public break-up was splashed all over the front pages over the weekend, though Clarence House has yet to officially comment.

BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said he thought the prince's move to Bovington had "a lot to do with the final stages" of the break-up.

It was reported that the couple had seen each other no more than once a week since he moved to Dorset.

There has also been speculation the prince's party habits may have had a bearing on the split.

Since his arrival in Dorset, the future king of England has been spotted out drinking and socialising with Army friends in Bournemouth.

He sparked a tabloid frenzy when he posed for photos with girls on a night out at Elements, on Fir Vale Road, last month.

William was said to be downing pints of Stella and shots of sambuca while dancing on the club's podium.

Ringwood student Lisa Agar, 19, was snapped with her arm around the prince and was invited back to the officers' mess with the group.

She told the Daily Echo William was "a normal person, absolutely down-to-earth" and said the prince had not mentioned his girlfriend all night.

Another student told the Daily Echo he was "a lovely, down-to-earth guy".

The night out in Elements was said to have provoked a "furious row" between the couple, Kate reportedly "blowing her top".

A week after the night in Elements, William and his army friends were spotted in nearby Bliss.

Jim Beedham, operations manager for Future 3000, who own the bar, said he was sociable with the other customers and kept a low profile.

William and Kate met at St Andrew's University in 2001 and their split after six years together is said to have been "amicable".

Since February, William, who serves in the Blues and Royals regiment, has been taking part in a troop commander's course in Purbeck.

Like his brother Harry, he went to Bovington to train on armoured vehicles and complete courses on map reading, tactics and leading troops into battle.