Shushed rumors roam the long hallways of Buckingham Palace while the tabloids have a field day! The cause of the frenzy is the alleged affair between the heir apparent to the British Monarchy, Prince William, and the Marchioness of Cholmondeley, Rose Hanbury. The relationship between Prince William and Rose Hanbury took the spotlight in the first quarter of 2024 due to Kate Middleton’s absence as she underwent treatment for cancer. Hanbury’s association with the Royal couple became fodder for rumors and tabloids. Move over, Bridgerton; the Hanbury drama is truly giving Regency vibes! However, at Style Spur, we wonder how much of the rumors are true. Stick around to find out more!
Rose Hanbury is an illustrious member of the British aristocracy who enjoys a comfortable position in the echelons of the elite upper circles. She is currently married to David Cholmondeley, the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley. Rose Hanbury also modeled for a while before her marriage to the Marquess. She also worked as a researcher and a political staffer for Micheal Gove’s Conservative Party. Rose is the daughter of imminent fashion designers Timothy Hanbury and Emma Hanbury.
Her family has been closely related to the British monarchy for generations. Lady Elizabeth Lambart, Rose’s maternal grandmother, was one of the bridesmaids during Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding! This association with the Royal family might come with great perks but it also becomes a hot topic for gossip! The Royal family is no stranger to alleged scandals and whispers of hidden infidelities. Therefore, Rose Hanbury close ties with Kate and William feeds the rumor mill!
Rose Hanbury has been photographed on several occasions, attending exclusive royal ceremonies and events. She was seen at King Charles III’s coronation, Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral service, and Prince Philip’s memorial service. Apparently, the current Prince and Princess of Wales are also close neighbors of Rose Hanbury. The Hanbury family lives at Houghton Hall, which is a few miles away from William and Kate’s residence at Anmer Hall. However, over the last couple of years, this friendship might be taking a turn for the worse, especially in the absence of Princess Kate.
After her marriage to David Cholmondeley, Rose Hanbury settled into the life and role of Marchioness of Cholmondeley. Rose and David soon welcomed three children. A pair of twin boys, Oliver and Timothy, and an adorable little girl, Iris Marina Aline. For King Charle’s coronation, Oliver served as one of the pages of honor along with Prince George, Ralph Tollemache, and Nicolas Barclay. This shows that the Marchioness’s children and Royal youngster are just as close as their parents.
The rumor mill isn’t just spinning now—it’s on a royal rampage! If we were to course a timeline when the rumors of the alleged affair started, then we can trace it back to Kate’s medical hiatus in 2019. Kate’s absence opened the floodgates of unsubstantiated rumors regarding William and “Rose Hanbury’s alleged affair.” Buzz of a split between Kate and William also made rounds during this time. Furthermore, conspiracy theorists were associating Kate’s absence from the public with the rumored divorce. Kate’s hiatus might have left the door ajar, and the press didn’t just peek—they barged right in! With each new sighting and photograph of Rose Hanbury—the rumor mills kept getting churned!
Matters were made worse when American Comedian Stephen Colbert, on his The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, mentioned Rose in the punchline of a joke about Prince William. He said: “I’m afraid I’ve got some troubling news about England’s royal family. Internet sleuths are guessing that Kate’s absence can be related to Prince William, who might be having an affair.” The unsavory joke was immediately shut down by Hanbury’s lawyers as they sent a notice to Colbert and stated that the allegations are “completely false.”
The unconventional entanglement of Britain’s King Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles is still fresh in our minds. When the affair came to light, King Charles was married to Princess Diana, the “People’s Princess”. The news came as a huge blow to everyone and made headlines across the globe! Princess Diana was truly heartbroken by this, and so were her millions of devotees! Albeit ashamed of his actions, King Charles divorced Diana and married Camilla against the reluctance of the Royal Family. King Charles and Camilla’s love story shows that even the royal crowns can’t contain a scandal worthy of a soap opera!
While citing sources, In Touch Weekly reported that King Charles has aired his worries regarding the allegations. He worries that Prince William might repeat the same mistake he made when he cheated on Princess Diana.
While neither Prince William nor the Royal family have made a formal announcement on the matter, Rose has refuted the claims. With the rumors getting a second wind and Kate’s re-emergence on the public scene, the damage control around the rumor is in full throttle. A report by Vulture stated that all reports with speculation of the affair have been scraped from major media outlets.
At Style Spur, we like to look at the story from all angles. Rose Hanbury has been through a lot in the last couple of years due to these rumors. Whether the rumors are just empty chatter or there is really something happening behind closed doors, we will never know! However, unveiling the obvious and making sense of the vague is our forte! So, grab a cup of your favorite coffee brand, find a comfy spot, and stay tuned for more celebrity highlights with Style Spur!
