Rose Hanbury responds to Prince William affair rumors
Lady Rose Hanbury broke her silence amid rumors she had an affair with Kate Middleton’s husband, Prince William.
The mother of three, 40, who wed David Cholmondeley in 2009, spoke out over the weekend while Royal fans continued to speculate about Middleton’s disappearance from the public eye.
Hanbury told Business Insider — via her lawyers — that rumors she had an affair with William “are completely false.”
Though speculation about an alleged dalliance between the pair dates back to 2019, rumors hit a fever pitch after Kensington Palace announced that the Princess of Wales, 42, would be undergoing abdominal surgery in January.
Middleton’s months-long absence from public life led many to speculate about the state of her marriage to William, 41, with whom she shares three children.
Stephen Colbert even waded into the conversation during an episode of his talk show, “The Late Show,” last week.
“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,” he began.
“So, I think we all know who the alleged other woman is. Say it with me –– the Marchioness of Cholmondeley –– what a beautiful name!” Colbert quipped, referencing Hanbury’s formal royal title.
He pointed out that the word Cholmondeley is actually pronounced “Chumley,” before turning the pronunciation into a running joke.
“Now there have been rumors an affair between William and the Marching Band of Chicanery since 2019,” he went on, mocking Hanbury’s title.
“According to tabloids back then, when Kate supposedly confronted him about it, he laughed it off saying there was nothing to it. Always a good response when your wife accuses you of cheating,” the comedian continued.
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Listen to our weekly “We Hear” podcast Shop our exclusive merchColbert, 59, then mimicked Prince William with a faux British accent, saying, “Ha ha, imagine me having an affair! It is to laugh.”
The late night host also cited a news story titled, “Rumors Surrounding Prince William’s Relationship With Rose Hanbury Are at an All-Time High Amid Kate Middleton’s Recovery,” in which some fans theorized Hanbury and William were having an affair.
Middleton’s rep, however, told Page Six that she was still in recovery from “planned abdominal surgery” and would not be resuming her duties until Easter.
It comes one week after the Princess of Wales posted an “altered” photo of herself with her three kids in honor of Mother’s Day.
Along with several photoshop fails, the future Queen also wasn’t wearing her iconic sapphire and diamond engagement ring.
