Duchess Catherine

Duchess Catherine

Britain's Duchess Catherine reportedly told Cressida Bonas to take "time out" with Prince Harry.

The 31-year-old royal advised the blonde beauty to take a bit of time to herself, like she did in 2007 when her and Prince William - who she married in 2011 - took a break, since being in the public eye with reports of a royal engagement can become intense.

A source told Now magazine: "[Catherine] gave her the lowdown on the pressures of being a princess and advised her to take time out, like she did with Wills in 2007.

"Kate feels for Cressie. There's an awful lot of pressure when the whole nation is asking if asking if you're about to get engaged.

"She told Cressie how she benefited from taking time out when she was on a break from William. Kate said it might be best for them too."

Harry and Cressida were said to have parted ways at the end of last month and other reports claim she was "freaked out" with the attention the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had to deal with while they were on their tour of Australia and New Zealand in April.

A source told British magazine Look: "Cressida and Harry were happy - there was even talk of marriage. But watching William and Kate's tour of Australia and New Zealand freaked Cressie out.

"She will have seen how they were followed by the world's press every minute of the day, how people were clawing to get photos of George, and how Kate and Wills were under the microscope. I think it made her realise that isn't the life she wants."