Prince William behind Hilton-Madden split

Washington (ANI): As Paris Hilton's publicist has confirmed that the socialite and rocker Benji Madden have called it quits, rumours are making rounds that Prince William might be the 'culprit' behind the split. The 'Simple Life star' parted ways with the "Good Charlotte" rocker at the beginning of the week after Hilton was snapped partying with ex-boyfriend Stavros Niarchos in Miami. The ex-couple has not been seen together for a week now.

Apparently, Prince William, who spent some time with Hilton while she's been filming her "My BFF" show in London, is being touted as the cause behind the split. Reports have claimed that Hilton and Madden recently sealed a rumoured six-figure deal to swing by Australia on New Year's Eve to attend the launch party for a new social online networking system, Bongo Virus. While Paris is booked to be the host of the bash, Benji is set to do the spinning.

However, an insider from the Australian company has revealed that the Royal may have had plans to meet up with Paris to ring in the New Year, which perhaps didn't go down too well with Benji. "For security reasons, he won't confirm his attendance until just before, but we're told he is pretty keen to meet up with Paris," Fox News quoted the source as saying.

In fact, even Bongo Virus confirmed that Prince William had been invited to the New Year's Eve bash, however, refused to comment further. A rep for the Royal Family could not be reached. "We aren't that worried if Benji and Paris don't want to come together. But we know Paris will definitely be there, and we can't wait," said the insider.

A source has said that the ultra-quiet Benji can be kind of controlling, which apparently played a significant role in his split from former fiancee Sophie Monk. And Benji might have been irked by the growing friendship between Williams and Hilton.