Former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and her eight-year-old partner David Panton have separated.
The duo were photographed together at a dinner in London with Prince Charles just six days before the news broke.
WATCH THE TOP VIDEO: Julie Bishop talks about flirting
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A photo, posted by Bishop on Instagram, showed her in a bright dress, sitting next to the royal.
Another image showed her smiling warmly at him, with Panton at her side.
But it seems that shortly after the occasion, the couple separated.
Former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and her eight-year-old partner David Panton have separated. Credit: Instagram / Julie Bishop
“I will focus on living in Manly and Melbourne in the foreseeable future,” Panton said in a statement to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I wish Julie all the best in her ongoing stellar career.”
Bishop and Panton are believed to have started dating around 2014 and maintained a long-distance relationship for years, with Bishop based in Perth while Panton was in Sydney.
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“[David and I] get together constantly, travel together and travel abroad to keep it fresh, ”Bishop told SMH in 2019.
He also revealed how he fell in love with the real estate developer.
“I think that’s obvious: have you seen him?” she laughed.
“He’s a very independent and successful businessman, and he has a delicious sense of humor. He makes me laugh.”
Julie Bishop (left) and David Panton meet at the Crown IMG tennis party at Crown in Melbourne in January 2019. Credit: JULIAN SMITH / AAPIMAGE
The sincere admission of Julie Bishop
Also in 2019, Bishop granted a candid interview to Andrew Denton of Seven, in which he admitted he was “openly friendly” with world leaders to get what he wanted.
“Have you ever flirted as part of the job?” Denton asked him on the program Interview.
“What do you mean?” Bishop replied shyly.
“You?” Denton insisted.
“There were times when I would be openly kind to people,” Bishop said.
“Was it helpful?” he asked.
“It had the desired result.”
Bishop and Panton are believed to have started dating around 2014. Credit: JOEL CARRETT / AAPIMAGE
Bishop also added weight to the theory that powerful women are frequent victims of “gender deafness.”
“I love men and I think they make a wonderful contribution to humanity,” he told Denton.
“But if you’re the only female voice in the room, they don’t seem to hear you.
“It’s like they’re not in tune with that.”
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