Amid speculation surrounding Kate Middleton’s absence from public view, talk show host Stephen Colbert rejuvenated rumors of an alleged affair between Prince William and Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley.
Colbert, while hosting “The Late Show” on Tuesday, March 12, humorously referenced a rumor from 2019 suggesting an affair between Prince William and Rose Hanbury.
“The kingdom has been all a flutter by the seeming disappearance of Kate Middleton. Well now, internet sleuths are guessing that Kate’s absence may be related to her husband and the future King of England William having an affair,” Colbert noted.
With a hint of sarcasm, Colbert added, “Oh no, my heart goes out to poor Kate.”
Colbert amusingly pointed out that the name Cholmondeley is pronounced “Chumley,” turning this unusual pronunciation into a recurring punchline.
The rumor was reignited amidst speculation about Kate Middleton’s extended absence from the public eye since December, which has been connected to an undisclosed surgery. Colbert’s monologue reintroduced the issue to the public, catalyzing widespread media coverage and online conversation.
Adding to the intrigue, a family portrait of Catherine, Princess of Wales, with her three children was released by Kensington Palace on Mother’s Day in the UK. However, several news agencies withdrew the photo, citing evidence of alteration. Notably, discrepancies were observed in Princess Charlotte’s hand alignment and the overall composition of the photo, which appeared to be edited.
Photography experts examined the contentious photo, identifying signs of manipulation such as misaligned sleeves, blurred sections, and inconsistent shading. This incident intensified speculation surrounding the monarchy’s transparency and secrecy, with some suggesting it substantiated rumors about the state of William and Kate’s marriage.
Concerns about the Princess of Wales’ marriage were heightened as observers noted that she wasn’t wearing her notable diamond and sapphire engagement ring in the photo.
Following the controversy, Kate Middleton used X (previously known as Twitter) to clarify the photo alteration, stating her occasional use of editing and apologizing for any confusion caused. However, Kensington Palace has declined to release the original, unedited photo.
Rumors of an affair between Prince William and Hanbury, a close neighbor and part of William and Kate’s social circle, initially surfaced in 2019, but have never been substantiated. Both the royal couple and Hanbury have refrained from commenting on the matter, while William’s lawyer has publicly refuted the allegations, labeling them as “false and highly damaging.”
Hanbury, a former researcher and model, is married to David Rocksavage, the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, and the couple has three children. They live near the royal family’s country estate and have attended numerous royal events, including Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral and King Charles III’s coronation, underlining their close connection to the royal family.
The revival of these rumors and the photo controversy has reignited public curiosity and speculation about the dynamics within the British royal family.
Royal author, Omid Scobie, in his book “Endgame,” has addressed the enduring nature of such rumors. Scobie also highlighted concerns in Kensington Palace about the potential negative impact on Prince William’s reputation.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Scobie said he understands why gossip has spread that William cheated on his wife.
“Unfortunately, if a rumor’s left to kind of do its own thing, it can run 20 laps around the world before you even think about what, how you want to kind of address it,” the writer explained.
The affair allegations and photo manipulation controversy highlight the ongoing challenges the British royal family faces in managing public relations and privacy in the digital era.
