Has Wilful Wills 'reined in' Pippa? A Prince haunted by Fergie's antics, his 'guidance' for his sister-in-law... and the REAL reason why she's now jobless

She seemed to have the world at her feet, with a £400,000 advance for her party planning book, lucrative contracts with glossy magazines and even a budding career as a television presenter.

Pippa Middleton won a global fan base after her star turn as a bridesmaid at the Royal Wedding – and even turned down an offer of £300,000 to appear on Oprah Winfrey's US talk show.

Yet today, Pippa's media career is over. The Mail on Sunday has established that she has no substantial contracts left and, more significantly, has no intention of taking on new work.

And the reason for this vanishing act, say friends, is that 32-year-old Pippa has been 'quietly and diplomatically reined in' by Prince William, who is understood to have been helping advise her on her future role.

The real reason Pippa is jobless? Pippa Middleston has been 'quietly and diplomatically reined in' by Prince William, say friends

Pippa, pictured enjoying a romantic holiday in Corsica with boyfriend hedge fund manager James Matthews, now has no intention of taking on new work

The Duke of Cambridge is said to be sharply aware that commercial ventures associated with the Royal Family, including Pippa's projects, might bring criticism or damage the family reputation.

A friend of Pippa said: 'It was felt by William in particular that she needed some guidance and support.

'Among some courtiers, there were also echoes of Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, after her break-up with Prince Andrew and how she sold herself out with various corporate deals. It was felt something needed to be done. So Pippa has been quietly and diplomatically reined in.'

Over the past 12 months, calculated changes have brought Pippa's life as a media personality to a close, steadily replacing it with one based on charity fundraising. This weekend, for example, she is raising money for The British Heart Foundation by running The Great Wall Marathon in China. It is understood that William and Kate have spoken privately to Pippa and boyfriend James Matthews to suggest what can be done to assist her in a suitable career.

Pippa's last columns for the Spectator and Vanity Fair magazines were published more than a year ago and friends say she is not seeking to write another volume on party organising

Pippa's last columns for the Spectator and Vanity Fair magazines were published more than a year ago and friends say she is not seeking to write another volume on party organising after her book Celebrate suffered poor sales and criticism for its less-than-profound advice, such as telling her readers to prepare ice for drinks by 'filling trays with water well before your party'.

Pippa has also ensured she is no longer the 'face' of her parents' company Party Pieces, an online party supplies company. A few weeks ago, she stopped writing the monthly online blog, now produced by another employee simply known as 'Rebecca'.

Money worries are unlikely to be a concern for the Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister.

The Mail on Sunday recently revealed that she has finally moved in with boyfriend James Matthews, a hedge fund millionaire who lives in a sprawling West London mansion and whose family owns Eden Rock, a luxury hotel on the Caribbean island of St Barts.

But there is no doubting, either, Pippa's enthusiasm for her career in the public eye. After the Royal Wedding, where her figure was widely admired, firms were clamouring to have their brand associated with the Duchess of Cambridge's little sister. Pippa Middleton became an author, a party planner and a food writer. Her magazine columns offered up opinions on such wide-ranging subjects as croquet, salmon fishing, truffle hunting in northern Italy and training to be a sommelier.

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She even tried her hand as a roving reporter for NBC, the American broadcaster, and was filmed dancing with cowboys at a hoedown in Wyoming.

As recently as last summer, Pippa was hoping to win new work and hired the services of upmarket wealth management company LJ Partnership, run by her friends Harry and Edward Lawson Johnston. Andrew Williams, one of the Mayfair-based company's leading strategists, was assigned the task of forming 'Team Pippa', along with various media and sports experts. But they kept hitting stumbling blocks.

'Pippa was great to deal with,' says a source. 'She was friendly, professional and really wanted to get the ball rolling. The brief was sports and there wasn't really a boundary.

The royal sister-in-law has no new contracts, no longer writes on her blog and is no longer the 'face' of her parents' company Party Pieces

Money worries are unlikely to be a concern, however, as she has finally moved in with Matthews, a hedge fund millionaire who lives in a sprawling West London mansion

'We were looking at personal training. There was talk at one point about a nutrition range. There were a number of endorsements on the table, all sorts.

'The problem was that when it got down to signing off on any of the deals and doing any business, a line was drawn. Pippa would always say no.

'She was the one driving it all and then it got to a point where she backed out and nothing would happen. Some of us assumed it was the Palace and I think at times it was quite frustrating for Pippa, because there was never any progression when she wanted things to move forward.'

Her change of heart might seem all the more puzzling, as Pippa – whatever the criticism in some quarters – was successful.

Her media company PXM Enterprises showed profits totalling £115,192 after its first year of trading in February 2015. And the same high-profile accountants who work with TV duo Ant and Dec were drafted in to help with her finances.

Pippa, pictured at ParaSnowBall 2016, is focusing on her charity work now said her talent agency spokesman

But then William has understandable concerns. He is said to have felt personal embarrassment at the scrutiny the Middletons found themselves under through their connection to him, and even apologised to Carole when her brother, Kate's uncle Gary Goldsmith, was filmed discussing drugs and his links to the Royal Family.

And it is understood that William has gone so far as to consult his legal team over how far he should protect his family name from commercial enterprises that might damage it.

Perhaps it is no surprise that Pippa uses the same legal firm as Kate and William. Or that Spencer Matthews, the 'bad boy' brother of her fiance, has now apparently withdrawn from a widely expected role in the forthcoming Made In Chelsea reality TV series.

Yesterday, Pippa's new spokesman at the 10Ten Talent agency said: 'Pippa has been keeping a low profile in terms of the media. She is focusing on her charity work now.

'Pippa wants to inspire young people to be fit and take on challenges through sport. If she's going to have the position she has, she wants to use it properly and shine a light on good causes.'

The Duke of Cambridge is said to be sharply aware that commercial ventures associated with the Royal Family, including Pippa's projects, might bring criticism or damage the family reputation

A friend said there were concerns over the echoes of Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, after her break-up with Prince Andrew and how she sold herself out with various corporate deals

Pippa is now an ambassador for The British Heart Foundation, Disability Snowsport UK and The Mary Hare school for deaf children.

Simon Kelner, chief executive of PR agency Seven Dials who advised Pippa on her media strategy, says: 'She has tried to forge a career within certain parameters which are not of her making.

'She's a very private individual who has had to balance many other things alongside her career. That includes how any activities she does might impact on her family and wider family.

'She's therefore very cautious about what she does.

'That said, she is very determined and an amazing sportswoman.

'She has swum the Bosphorus, climbed Mount Blanc and cycled across America. I think she's really determined to inspire others through sport.'

The only 'job' Pippa seems to have been left with is occasionally writing for Waitrose Kitchen magazine. And with her super-rich boyfriend by her side, being a charity crusader does indeed seem to be Pippa's new calling.

She celebrated her 32nd birthday last September by doing a 50-mile swim-run and climbed 33 miles of glacier to raise awareness for disabled athletes.

The friend of Pippa concluded: 'Meeting a fabulously wealthy man, giving up work, going on lots of exclusive holidays and ramping up the charity work worked well for Kate, so why shouldn't her baby sister do just the same?

A spokesman for Kensington Palace declined to comment.