And They Wandered In

And they wandered in
From the city of St. John
Without a dime
Wearing coats that shined
Both red and green
Colors from their sunny island
From their boats of iron
They looked upon the promised land
Where surely life was sweet
(Steely Dan (Fagen/Becker), The Royal Scam)

Other than the word "Royal" in the title, the song hasn't much to do with the post, I'm afraid. But that was too good to pass up. It appears that French socialist Segolene Royal, after losing the election for president of France is also losing her partner of more than 25 years, Francois Hollande. She kicked him to the curb after he allegedly had an affair.

PARIS (AFP) - Defeated French Socialist presidential candidate Segolene Royal said on Sunday she has split from her partner, party leader Francois Hollande, after accusing him in a new book of having an affair.

"I have asked Francois Hollande to leave our home, to pursue his love interest which is now laid out in books and newspapers and I wish him happiness," Royal said in an interview for the book to be published Wednesday.

Speculation about the couple has been rife for months.

In the book, Royal did not name the other woman in Hollande's life but said she and the Socialist leader "remain on good terms. We talk to each other. There is mutual respect."

She asked that Hollande no longer be described as her "partner" because, she said: "That is no longer the case."

Excerpts were released as Socialists welcomed in a better-than-expected performance in France's parliamentary elections on Sunday, although President Nicolas Sarkozy's right-wing camp won a comfortable majority.

Speaking on French radio late Sunday, Royal confirmed that she and Hollande had decided to end their relationship.

"For some time, guesses and rumours had been circulating about me and Francois Hollande. I think there comes a point when you have to clarify things and say quite simply we have decided not to be together anymore," she said.

"Like all couples, we have had our share of problems. I decided to put these problems on hold during the presidential and the legislative campaigns," Royal said. "It was also necessary in order for me to protect my children."

"Today we are moving on to a new stage. It is important to say things as they are, and to have everything out in the open."

Hollande issued a brief statement confirming the break-up, in which he stressed his efforts keep his private and public lives separate, and warned he would not hesitate to take legal action over any media invasion of his privacy.

Royal announced her plans in a book by AFP journalists Christine Courcol and Thierry Masure, "Behind the Scenes of Defeat" ("Les Coulisses d'une Defaite"), which is to be published Wednesday.

Royal, 53, and Hollande, 52, had been together for more than 25 years and have four children: Thomas, Clemence, Julien and Flora, aged between 22 and 14.

Hollande's role in Royal's failed presidential campaign has been criticised and he has said he will stand down as the Socialist Party's first secretary. Royal confirmed in the book that she is a candidate to take over.

While she remains the Socialists' most popular politician, Royal is contested by senior figures in the party who blame her for losing the presidential race to Nicolas Sarkozy.

Well, it isn't a divorce, per se. They were never married. I really don't have much good to say about Royal's politics, but this is one of those things that is hard on all of the people involved - especially the children. I hope they can work things out in such a way as to keep the kids from additional harm.