Last week, several major outlets ran with the story that James Middleton and Donna Air had broken up after a few years together. The Daily Mail, other UK papers, E! News and Us Weekly all had stories about the split and the vibe from “sources” was that James had done the dumping and Donna was having a lot of feelings about it. Well… now James Middleton has gone to the Daily Mail to say that there was no breakup. Huh. When celebrities are facing false split stories, they usually go the “organizing a coupled-up pap stroll” method to dispel rumors. But James wanted people to hear him quote Mark Twain. Seriously.

It is one of the most glamorous relationships on the scene. He’s the twinkly-eyed, bearded brother of the future Queen, and she’s a beautiful, blonde television presenter. Given their high society credentials, they were always going to be in the public eye. However, nothing could prepare Donna Air and James Middleton for the media frenzy that greeted them last week when their apparent separation was revealed in a national red-top newspaper.

Now James, 28, and Donna, 36, have spoken exclusively to The Mail on Sunday to say that nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, they say, they are happier than ever. Proving that they are still able to retain a sense of humour about the news that went viral last week, James, the younger brother of the Duchess of Cambridge, and Donna last night told this newspaper that they are still very much together.

‘Mark Twain once complained that reports of his death were exaggerated,’ they said in a joint statement. ‘A few days ago we were equally amazed to read the obituaries of our relationship splashed across the national press. Happily, we can report that our relationship is not over. We are still very much a couple and have not parted ways. These stories are completely untrue and without merit.’

Their statement comes as The Mail on Sunday’s You magazine today publishes an exclusive and revealing interview with Donna, in which she speaks about her ‘pretty awesome boyfriend’. In her interview, Donna speaks fondly of the dynamics of their home life together, revealing how happy and settled their relationship is. ‘James brings a lot of fun into the household,’ she says.

Although many of the reports last week cited the eight-year age gap between the couple as an issue in their relationship, friends say that James has impressed Donna by rising to the challenge of caring for Freya, who adores him. Donna reveals that her boyfriend is a regular visitor to her townhouse in Chelsea, and jokes that James, an animal lover, has so many dogs that they have to ‘draw up a rota’ to decide who will take them for walks.

James is said to be busily spending his autumn raising £1.5 million to ‘expand and diversify’ his marshmallow company Boomf, which has recently hit hard times. Nevertheless, the pair are said to be looking forward to a ‘new chapter’ together.

[From The Daily Mail]

So, no split. And he revealed that piece of info exclusively to the Daily Mail, as the Middletons are wont to do historically. In exchange for this piece of information about his private life, the Daily Mail also agreed to add this detail: “James is said to be busily spending his autumn raising £1.5 million to ‘expand and diversify’ his marshmallow company Boomf, which has recently hit hard times.” Perhaps the Mail even threw some money his way – for Boomf expansion! – in exchange for this statement. Now you know! PS… did you roll your eyes at the “glamorous relationship” intro too?

Photos courtesy of WENN.