The British monarchy is no stranger to scandal, but few stories have captivated the public as much as the rumored affair between Prince William and Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. According to an investigation by The Sun, the then-Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine, and her close friend Rose had a “terrible falling-out” in 2019. This dramatic tale of betrayal, legal threats, and media purges has kept royal watchers on the edge of their seats.
The Shocking Allegations
In 2019, rumors began swirling about a possible affair between Prince William and Rose Hanbury. The scandalous story was first broken by In Touch magazine, which claimed that William had an affair with Hanbury while Kate Middleton was expecting their third child. According to the magazine, Kate confronted William about the rumors, but he laughed them off, insisting there was nothing to the allegations.
A Friendship in Tatters
The Sun’s reporter, Dan Wootton, revealed that Catherine and Rose, once close friends, had a “terrible falling-out.” An informant quoted by Wootton claimed, “They used to be close but that is not the case anymore.” This rift added fuel to the fire, leading many to speculate about the nature of the disagreement.
The Media’s Role
Despite the salacious nature of the rumors, mainstream media outlets were quick to retract their stories. The Daily Beast reported that 21 articles about the alleged affair had been mysteriously removed from various UK-based media sources. These included tabloids like Tatler, The Daily Mail, The Sun, and Daily Express, as well as respected publications such as the Evening Standard, The Mirror, and The Guardian.
Vulture’s royal correspondent, Ellie Hall, noted the slipshod job of removing these stories, stating, “The mysterious individuals in charge of removing stories didn’t do a great job cleaning up after themselves. Broken links to these vanished stories still exist in each publication’s royal coverage from this timeframe and, in many cases, on these outlets’ official social-media accounts.”
Legal Threats and Denials
The swift retraction of articles was reportedly due to legal threats from the royal family’s attorneys. The White Shoe law firm Harbottle and Lewis issued stern warnings to media outlets, stating that the publication of false speculation about Prince William’s private life constituted a breach of privacy under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
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Duncan Larcombe, former royal editor of The Sun, commented on the legal action, saying, “The use of a legal letter by William as a future king is very much a move of last resort. If the stories of Kate freezing Rose out are true, then whatever caused the falling out must have been very serious.”
Rose Hanbury’s Response
Rose Hanbury also took legal action to dispel the rumors. Her lawyers issued statements to various media outlets, denying the allegations and accusing them of spreading malicious rumors. InTouchWeekly reported that her legal team addressed the claims made by Stephen Colbert on The Late Show, who joked about the affair, further stoking public interest. Colbert’s remarks, “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,” added fuel to the fire.
The Public Reaction
The royal drama captivated the public, with many taking to social media to express their opinions. The affair rumors and the subsequent media purge only added to the intrigue. Royal fans and critics alike were eager to uncover the truth behind the headlines.
Rose Hanbury's lawyers have reportedly sent a legal notice to Stephen Colbert over a 'joke' he made about an alleged affair with Prince William
“The rumor appears to have entered into the mainstream media recently as a result of another joke made about it on The Late Show with… pic.twitter.com/6UOdHXfNJJ
— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) March 23, 2024
FAQs
What caused the falling-out between Catherine and Rose Hanbury?
The falling-out reportedly stemmed from rumors of an affair between Prince William and Rose Hanbury. The exact details remain unclear, but the rift was significant enough to attract media attention.
How did the media respond to the affair allegations?
Mainstream media outlets initially reported on the rumors but quickly retracted their stories following legal threats from the royal family’s attorneys. Over 20 articles were removed from various publications.
What legal actions were taken by the royal family?
The royal family’s attorneys, Harbottle and Lewis, issued stern warnings to media outlets, stating that publishing false speculation about Prince William’s private life breached his privacy rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Did Rose Hanbury respond to the allegations?
Yes, Rose Hanbury took legal action to deny the rumors and accused media outlets of spreading malicious stories. Her legal team addressed claims made by Stephen Colbert on The Late Show, which further fueled public interest.
What did Stephen Colbert say about the affair rumors?
Stephen Colbert joked about the affair rumors on his show, suggesting that Kate Middleton’s absence might be related to her husband, Prince William, having an affair with Rose Hanbury. His comments drew further attention to the scandal.
What is the current status of the relationship between Catherine and Rose Hanbury?
The exact status of their relationship is unknown, but reports suggest that they have not reconciled since the alleged falling-out in 2019.
Rose Hanbury responds to Prince William affair rumors, telling Business Insider through her lawyers that “the rumours are completely false.” pic.twitter.com/wNyHir2tX3
— Pop Base (@PopBase) March 18, 2024
Conclusion
The rumors of an affair between Prince William and Rose Hanbury, and the subsequent fallout with Catherine, have created one of the most tantalizing royal scandals in recent years. Despite the media purge and legal threats, the story has captivated the public, revealing the fragile nature of friendships and the lengths to which the royal family will go to protect their privacy. As the dust settles, the public remains eager for any new developments in this ongoing saga.
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