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IMAGES: All about Harry's hot lingerie model!
Is the hype surrounding the Middletons about to fade? There's a brand new hottie on the royal block!
Watch out, Pippa -- looks like a pretty blonde is about to steal your thunder!
Ever since the news broke last week that Prince Harry is secretly dating British model Florence Brudenell-Bruce, the headlines have gone into overdrive about everything from her smashing good looks to lingerie assignments and her former relationship with F1 driver Jenson Button.
But we Indians have an edge over the rest of the world when it comes to Flee, as she is known to friends and family -- we were introduced to this leggy firang three years ago, when she played Saif Ali Khan's love interest in the movie Love Aaj Kal.
Will we be seeing her in any more B-Town flicks? How did she land a ladies' man like Harry? What's her take on their relationship?
For those of you who want to get more acquainted with Florence Brudenell-Bruce, we bring you everything you'd like to know in the following pages.
Kissing cousins?
Flee, 25, is the daughter of Andrew Brudenell-Bruce, a wine merchant, and French artist Sophie Brudenell-Bruce.
She has three siblings -- sisters Alice and Christabel and brother Henry. She's the youngest of the four and studied at the exclusive Stowe School in Buckinghamshire, before obtaining a history of art degree from Bristol University(ironically enough, Harry's ex-girlfriend of seven years, South African heiress Chelsy Davy also studied in the same school as Flee).
The Brudenell-Bruces are a wealthy, aristocratic family, descendants of the seventh Earl of Cardigan who is celebrated as one of Britain's war heroes, having led the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854.
In fact, their blue-blooded ties link them to the Royal Family, making Flee and Harry eighth cousins!
Discovered at 15
With her beautiful blonde curls and delicate features, Florence was spotted by modelling agency scouts at the tender age of 15 while she was leaving high street store Topshop.
However, her parents pursuaded her to put off modelling till after her high school graduation and so she took a year off to make her fashion debut before enrolling herself in college. The move paid off and she landed various prestigious assignments -- Flee did an Adidas campaign in the US, became the face of high street brand John Lewis' swimwear and donned sexy bikinis for Elizabeth Hurley's Beach line.
A stint with adult retailer Ann Summers for their Knickerbox lingerie line also went a long way in catapulting her to the top of the UK fashion industry.
The ex factor
The baby-faced beauty also elevated her profile by dating British F1 driver Jenson Button from 2006 to 2008. Despite being only 22 years old when they got into a relationship, she was credited with being quite a positive influence on Button and his management is said to have approved of them as a couple.
Although the reason behind their split has never been revealed, it was alleged that the speedster's roving eye had put pressure on their relationship.
Flee and Jenson, however, parted on amicable terms and she was later linked to Henry St George, the son of a late multi-millionaire financier. The Daily Mail reported that she confirmed her split from St George at a recent pre-Wimbledon party.
What it takes to woo a prince
According to sources close to both Flee and Harry who have spoken to the British press, the two have known each other for several years -- given that they both travel in the same elite social circle -- and it's only been a few weeks since things between them took a romantic turn.
It seems that the model has been drawn in by the prince's charm and sense of humour, while he's attracted to her great looks, easygoing attitude and free spirit.
While it's still early days, if reports are to be believed, the two have been rendezvousing in secret at Flee's 400,000 pound Notting Hill apartment and were spotted together at the Hard Rock Calling festival in Hyde Park, London last week.
Is Flee Harry's 'type'?
The uncanny part about this new royal link-up is that lots of friends close to the prince are finding similarities between his ex Chelsy Davy and Florence other than the fact that they attended the same school briefly.
Tall, blonde, beautiful, wealthy, fun-loving and independent -- both women have similar personalities, if reports are to be believed. And the latest in the saga is that Chelsy is back in London and complaining to friends about how 'let down' she is by Harry's behaviour, according to The Mirror.
After all, it was only in April that she accompanied the prince to his brother's wedding and while their relationship has been on and off for the past two years, the attractive Zimbabwe-born blonde has been blindsided by reports of him having moved on with Florence.
Already in love
While it is still early days, it certainly seems like the newest couple on the block is warming up to each other pretty fast. For her part, Florence has reportedly already told friends that she is falling hard and fast for the charming young royal.
Palace authorities, of course, never comment on the private lives of members of the Royal Family, so short of an official marriage announcement, a confirmation of the relationship from Harry's corner is unlikely. And when quizzed about it, Flee has stated simply that 'there's not much to say', neither affirming nor denying the rumours about their being a couple.
Actress in the making
Still, maybe Chelsy shouldn't be too worried -- Florence has spoken of moving to Los Angeles in September to pursue an acting career in Hollywood.
Post Love Aaj Kal, she also stated that she thoroughly enjoyed her Indian cinema stint with Saif Ali Khan and rued the fact that not many parts were available to foreigners -- so with the right offer, a Bollywood comeback could also still be a possibility.
On the other hand, Harry has his hands full with his royal duties and military career as an Apache helicopter pilot -- there is even talk of him serving in Afghanistan again next year. Moreover, a few weeks ago, the young prince also came forward to state that he was '100 percent single'.
Is all that set to change? It's too soon to talk of wedding bells, but whether the hottest new couple on the block will go the distance remains to be seen. Only time will tell -- and a Mediterranean vacation, maybe. The latest is that Harry wants to take his ladylove on a fun-in-the-sun getaway to spend quality time together. Is it going to happen? We'll keep you updated!