McCartney/Mills Split Getting Ugly

LONDON (Reuters) - British tabloids are licking their lips as Paul McCartney's divorce from his wife Heather becomes increasingly ugly, and comparisons with the bitter split between Britain's Prince Charles and Diana 10 years ago are already being made.

On Wednesday the gossip-hungry newspapers splashed pictures of 38-year-old Heather Mills McCartney over the front pages after she hired Anthony Julius, Princess Diana's divorce lawyer, to handle her case.

Former Beatle McCartney, with a fortune of about 825 million pounds ($1.5 billion), had already appointed Fiona Shackleton, who happened to represent Britain's Prince Charles in the 1996 divorce.


"Battle Royal" is what newspapers have dubbed the McCartney case, which looks set to be played out in the full glare of the media spotlight. "All You Need Is Hate" was the headline in the Daily Express.

The hiring of identical lawyers in both cases provides a striking parallel.

Anthony Julius, nicknamed "Anthony Genius", was considered by some to be the winner in their first famous courtroom tussle, securing an estimated 17 million pounds for Diana.

The financial stakes in the McCartney case are far higher, with lawyers predicting Mills could win up to a quarter of her husband's fortune, or more than 200 million pounds.

Shackleton, known as the "Steel Magnolia" for her toughness, was credited with securing one concession from Diana, who agreed to give up the title "Her Royal Highness

Paul Files For Divorce and Has Classical Music Album on The Way

Macca was in the news again yesterday with reports that he officialy has filed divorce. Heather Mills pretty much stated she wants to take him for all he is worth. And Macca has his 2nd collection of classical music out this fall.