Keira Knightley and Rupert Friend Split

Keira Knightley and Rupert Friend split after a five-year long relationship. It seems that the decision was mutual, the main reason for the breakup was the constant pressure of being in the public eye and media attention. Keira's family confirmed the split.

Keira Knightley and Rupert Friend had a relationship of five years, the news of their separation being confirmed by Keira's father, theater and television actor Will Knightley.

“Yes, they have broken up,” he told “The Sun”. “But that's the way things go, unfortunately. The only option is to get on with things. They were together for quite a long time and it is always hard breaking up. She's focused on her work,” he added.

The two met in 2005, on the set of the Hollywood adaptation of Jane Austen's “Pride and Prejudice”, where Keira played Elizabeth Benneth, while Rupert Friend played Mr Wickham, and decided to end their five-year relationship just before Christmas, last year. Even though the split came after a mutual decision, rumors say that Keira is heart-broken.

Sources said that the separation was in part the result of all the pressure caused by them being constantly in the public eye. “Rupert hates the idea of being followed and photographed. Keira partially had to accept it because of her rising profile,” a friend told the paper.

“It affected the harmony in the relationship. The pressure took its toll and both decided they should go their separate ways. They will remain life-long friends,” friend say.

Keira seems to have a very busy schedule when it comes to her career. It is said that the 25-year-old actress is “top of the list” for the big-screen version of Anna Karenina. Moreover, she is also on another important list, having the chance to star in “The Dark Knight Rises”, the next film in the Batman series.