Pippa Middleton gets her skates on for a twirl around the ice

There’s been a lot of attention on her derrière since the Royal Wedding in April.So Pippa Middleton had to make sure she didn’t fall on it as she took to the ice at Somerset House.Joined by some girl friends, the newly-single socialite, 27, showed off her ice-skating skills at the launch of Tiffany & Co. presents Skate at Somerset House last night.

The party planner had embraced the wintry theme in a chic white coat, which she teamed with a pair of black jeans and leather gloves.Perhaps demonstrating she is no stranger to ice-skating, Miss Middleton managed to glide around quite gracefully without falling over.

After enjoying a twirl on the ice, Pippa and the rest of the skaters watched singer Emeli Sande light up the Christmas tree before performing an acoustic set.

Also there was Dame Judi Dench, interior designer Kelly Hoppen, designer Julien MacDonald, swimwear designer Melissa Odabash and model Tali Lennox.Pippa has been keeping a low-profile since her recent split from Alex Loudon, 31, after 18 months together.

She pulled out of the Square Mile Masked Ball this month after reportedly having been advised to do so by her older sister Catherine.It was claimed former cricketer Loudon was uncomfortable with Pippa’s celebrity since her sister’s wedding to Prince William in April.

A friend said: ‘The plain truth is Alex adored Pippa but he couldn’t stand the circus that now surrounds her. Nothing is straightforward anymore.’

The younger Middleton sister’s appearance at Somerset House comes as a version of her Alexander McQueen bridesmaid gown went on sale.The Sarah Burton-designed dress, which launched Pippa onto the international stage as ‘her royal hotness’, is for sale at £1,995.