London, June 21 (IANS) It was another type of ball that apparently undid the romance of Prince Harry, now visiting South Africa to boost the morale of the English football team, and his girlfriend Chelsy Davy.

The ball in question was organised in April to raise money for underprivileged children in Africa. But the prince, who found himself with some leave after finishing his helicopter training course, wanted Chelsy to spend time with him.

She’s so miffed with his insistence that she pulled out of the charity ball close to her heart and now wants to leave London and return to her parents in Africa.

That was the last straw, The Guardian suggests.

Since then, the couple was last seen in public in early May when the prince picked up his helicopter pilot’s wings. Their relationship was said to be always under strain because of Harry’s commitment to the army and Chelsy’s to her law course in a London university.

She was shortly to start off as a trainee solicitor with a London firm, but now she is said to be returning to her parents who recently left their native Zimbabwe and settled in Zambia.

The prince would hardly have time for private life once he returns from South Africa because he will immediately embark on a gruelling course with the Army Air Corps to become an Apache helicopter pilot.

According to The Daily Mail, last week, during a trip to Lesotho, where his charity Sentebale is based, Harry was asked about his future plans. He replied: ‘Professional surfer, wildlife photographer, helicopter pilot and live in Africa.’

Last month, the couple spent time holidaying in Zambia and royal sources told the newspaper they ‘categorically have not split up’ while her friends claim matters have reached a head.