William is horrified at sneers about Kate's mum

It had been suggested that Carole Middleton's alleged scheming and lack of social graces were in some way responsible for the end of their four-year relationship.

There were claims that 'snobbish' courtiers and members of William's inner circle had briefed against Miss Middleton's middleclass family.

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But sources close to the 24-yearold prince dismissed the reports.

They said William was horrified by the vitriol levelled against Mrs Middleton, a former air stewardess, who, with her husband, a former airline pilot, has made a living from an Internet business selling children's party goods.

The prince, who is on a troop commanders course with his Blues and Royals regiment in Bovington, Dorset, has called Miss Middleton, 25, to offer his support and distance himself from the claims.

A friend said: "William does not believe that anyone genuinely - or even remotely - connected with him would say such things and is horrified that these reports have emerged.

"He suspects there is a great deal of mischief-making going on - although who by, he has no idea - and thinks it is extremely unfair and totally unnecessary, particularly for Kate and her family."

Meanwhile, Buckingham Palaces sources moved to contradict reports that the Queen disliked Mrs Middleton.

"There has never been any meetings between the two and the Queen certainly wouldn't voice an opinion on her," said one.

A senior aide said: "The reports which allege that the palace was horrified at Mrs Middleton's socalled behaviour simply aren't true and are really quite offensive to all those concerned.

"To suggest that the Palace was snobbish in any way about Miss Middleton and her family could be very damaging. That's just not the way things work nowadays."

The same source confirmed that the Queen had met Kate and liked her. Clarence House has declined to comment on recent events, saying it is not in the business of offering a running commentary on William's private life.

But royal sources said the prince was keen to see an end to speculation about why the relationship had come to an end.

"The simple fact of the matter is that two young people who met at university have unfortunately drifted apart after four years. The break-up is completely amicable and both Kate and William are still very supportive of each other," said a royal aide.

"The idea that there is a group of top-hatted toffs wandering around at the palace getting the knives out for Miss Middleton and her family is utter tosh and very unfair to all those involved.

"William just wants to put the past few days behind him and get on with his life and I am sure the same goes for Kate."

The whispering campaign against Mrs Middleton began less than 24 hours after news that her daughter's four-year relationship with the second-inlineto-the-throne had ended.

Royal sources in one Sunday newspaper described Kate's mother as "pushy". They accused her of scheming to push her eldest daughter up the social ladder.

Others raised questions over her lack of etiquette. She was said to have chewed gum during William's passing-out parade from Sandhurst.

It was even said that friends of the Prince had taken to greeting Kate's arrival with whispers of "doors to manual", a reference to her mother's former career. But a source close to William said: "That's just an urban myth."