Peter's day of joy with his children
PETER Andre was determined not to let his young children feel the strain of his break-up with wife Katie Price.
The singer, 36, made the most of the Bank Holiday sunshine yesterday by whisking Junior, three, and 23-month Princess Tiamii to the seaside for some fun and frolics.
The three cavorted along Brighton beach, before edging over to a nearby duck pond.
If Peter hoped for a day away from sentimental reminders, however, he was to be disappointed.
As they sat, Peter could not have failed to spot two seemingly lovesick swans, their beaks touching and necks heart shaped.
Katie was conspicuously absent. The former glamour model, 30, returned to Britain this week from the Maldives, where she had fled after her marital break-up became public.
Before her return, Katie announced that she was ready to move on with her life, and could not “sit around crying”.
She is said to have now moved all Andre’s belongings from the £2.5million mansion the couple shared in Woldingham, Surrey, then had the locks changed.
Also absent yesterday was Harvey, Katie’s six-year-old autistic child from her previous relationship with footballer Dwight Yorke. Peter, who has treated Harvey as his own child, was last night said to be “deeply distressed” that Katie had blocked access to Harvey, who was left with carers while both his mother and Peter fled Britain.
The decision was said to have been made as a snub to Andre, for repeatedly ignoring pleas for a heart-to-heart meeting.
This has been strongly denied by Katie.
Both sides have contacted first-class lawyers and seem to be heading for the divorce court. However, today they are expected to see each other for a make-or-break meeting organised by Katie.
Contacts close to her revealed that she has been “deeply unhappy” about bad publicity concerning her alleged move to block Peter from having access to Harvey.
“They have been in constant contact since the split via text messages but Katie is still offering Pete an olive branch,” said a friend.
“The reason Pete is coming over is first of all to see Harvey but Katie will be there also.
“She wants it to be known that there is no truth in claims she is stopping Pete from seeing Harvey.
“The truth is Pete is an amazing dad to Harvey and Katie knows that. She does not want anything to upset Harvey’s routine and part of that is making sure Pete and their other children carry on as usual.”
Last night, close friends of Pete’s family revealed how they were all “praying for him” over fears that he could suffer a nervous breakdown.
His brother, Chris, 46, has just returned to Cairns, in Australia – where the Andres run a successful Greek taverna – following a mercy dash to Peter’s villa in Pervolia in Cyprus where Peter went to after his split with Katie was made public. Friends in Cairns have related the family’s deep concern over how Peter is coping.
Last night, one said: “This has knocked them all for six. The Andres are a large Greek family with traditional values.
“Pete grew up learning marriage was sacrosanct and family the most important thing in the world.
“Those three children mean much more to him than money or fame. He would die for his kids.”
The Andre family is believed to be on standby, ready to spring into action should Peter need help.
“Pete’s such a gentle soul,” said the friend. “Chris assures us he is trying to take care of himself, working out and trying to get his head around what’s happened.
“He has lost a lot of weight through sheer stress and is anxious about the children.
“Family is his rock and they’re behind him 100 per cent. ”
