Rose Hanbury has emphatically addressed and refuted circulating rumors of an alleged affair with Prince William, firmly stating through her legal representatives that such allegations “are completely false,” as reported by Business Insider.
Despite being a close associate of Prince William and Princess Kate within their social circle, Rose, aged 40, finds herself caught up in speculation. The murmurs of infidelity gained notable traction following a segment by Stephen Colbert on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
During the segment, the late-night host humorously referenced the purported scandal in connection with Kate’s recent public absence following her January abdominal surgery.
Colbert’s depiction of the gossip mill linked the Princess of Wales’s low profile to conjectures about Prince William’s faithfulness, joking about the potential discomfort such accusations might cause within the royal household.
The situation was further complicated by controversy surrounding a UK Mother’s Day photo featuring Princess Kate and her children, which was withdrawn by photo agencies due to allegations of manipulation. Additionally, William’s reluctance to address inquiries regarding his wife’s health and recovery added to the complexity.
Rose Hanbury’s longstanding and distinguished ties to the royal family are notable, with her grandmother, Lady Elizabeth Lambart, serving as one of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s bridesmaids in 1947.
Since 2009, Rose has been married to David Rocksavage, the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, and the couple resides at Houghton Hall in Norfolk, close to William and Kate’s Anmer Hall estate. The Cholmondeleys and the royal couple have frequently been seen together at various high-profile events, including Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral and King Charles III’s coronation in May 2023, during which their son, Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, served as a page of honor alongside Prince George.
Colbert’s comedic approach to the alleged affair included quips about Rose’s noble title, “the Marchioness of Cholmondeley,” and featured a fictional impersonation of William dismissing the accusations with humor.
This depiction underscores the public’s intrigue and the media’s penchant for sensationalism regarding rumors that emerged in 2019, hinting at a clandestine relationship between William and Hanbury. Despite baseless speculations, William and Kate maintain a strong friendship with the Cholmondeleys.
Last summer, the Princess was photographed at their Houghton Hall residence, participating in the annual Houghton Festival.
What Happened to Princess Kate?
On 17 January, it was confirmed by Kensington Palace that Kate had been admitted to the private London Clinic for planned abdominal surgery.
The palace released a lengthy statement, which added: “The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.
“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.
“Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.
“The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible.”
No further details of the Princess’s condition have been given, but it has been confirmed to be non-cancerous.
How Long Did Princess Kate Stay in hospital?
The royal was discharged from the London Clinic on 29 January after a 13-day stay in hospital.
Kensington Palace shared in a statement: “The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress.
“The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided.
“The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world.”
