Why Is William & Kate's Close Friend, Rose Hanbury, at the Center of Discussion, and Who Is She?

Rumors of Prince William's affair have spread across the internet, with many pointing fingers at Rose Hanbury. Initially seen as just a family friend, she's now suspected of being a homewrecker.

While Kate Middleton is absent from the public eye, recovering from her abdominal surgery, Prince William is suspected of having an affair. As rumors spread across the world, royal fans are delving into the persona of the alleged mistress.

Aristocrats know her as Lady Rose Hanbury. She is the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. She has long been linked to the British Royal Family. This is through her well-heeled family and their prestigious place in British high society. She is married to David Cholmondeley, the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley. The couple raise three children together at their residence.

Prince William's and Rose Hanbury's families have been friends for a long time. But their friendship is under scrutiny by the public after a recent picture was released. In the photo, Prince William was riding in a car with a woman, allegedly his wife, Kate Middleton, by his side.

However, royal fans think otherwise. After being deceived by the picture of Kate Middleton and her children released on Mother's Day, fans no longer trust so easily. Some people believe that the woman in the car next to Prince William is none other than Rose Hanbury.

First, her head is suspiciously turned away from the cameras, a thing that Princess Catherine never did. The Princess of Wales has always been brave enough to face the cameras. She did so even after waiting ten years for William to propose. Apart from hiding away, the woman is also staring at the brick wall, which fans have disputed.

"That is not Kate Middleton in the car; Kate has never shied away from cameras. Even when she waited ten years for Willy to propose, that is Rose Hanbury, William's mistress," commented a user.

"Sorry to go all tinfoil hat, but I don't think that's Kate Middleton. I think that's Rose Hanbury in the car with William because why can't we see her face? You're really telling me the paparazzi didn't run around the car to get a shot of her face?" another chimed in.

While some believe it is Rose Hanbury’s face, others speculate it is a photoshop of Kate Middleton, a profile from another picture. Fans use evidence to say the picture is fake. They reference Kate Middleton’s picture from the 2016 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. She wore a black pillbox hat.

However, Goff Photos — the agency that captured William and Kate in the Range Rover — addressed the rumors. They assured the public that the pics "have been cropped and lightened" but "nothing has been doctored." The speculations spread so far that even Stephen Colbert addressed the situation. In his latest comedy sketch on national American TV, he talked about the alleged affair.

"Now there have been rumors of an affair between William and the Marching Band of Chicanery since 2019," the host started off. "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," he said sarcastically.

For people who do not follow the Royal Family closely, Rose Hanbury might seem a new persona on the royal stage. However, the woman has been around William and Kate for a long time.

In June 2016, their families attended a gala dinner to support East Anglia's Children's Hospices at Houghton Hall. Then, they were already close, considering how friendly they looked in the photos. Dressed in beautiful gowns, Kate and Rose greeted each other fondly, while their husbands shook hands.

Despite the niceties, fans found one of the pictures taken at the event quite controversial. "These pictures say a thousand words. Prince William, Rose Hanbury, and Kate all in one picture. I can already read the room here. A lot has been going on," commented a user. "This picture is always my favorite peek into the drama," another agreed.

It was not the last time their families were seen together. In 2020, she and her husband were invited to celebrate Kate's 38th birthday. The party was only for some of their closest friends at their country home at Anmer Hall in Norfolk. David and Rose, the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley also attended the party.

They are close friends. Rose Hanbury and her family live in the residence only three miles from Anmer Hall. Anmer Hall is home to the Prince and Princess of Wales. Lady Rose Cholmondeley resides with her husband and kids at Houghton Hall in Norfolk.

The couple welcomed twin sons in October 2009. Their names are Alexander Hugh George Cholmondeley and Lord Oliver Timothy George Cholmondeley. Later, in 2016, their daughter, Lady Iris Marina Aline Cholmondeley, was born.

Today, swirling rumors allege that Prince William had an affair. The spotlight has turned to Rose Hanbury. She finds herself at the center of speculation. Despite the rumors, Rose Hanbury is a wife and mother. She is also an aristocrat in Royal social circles.

As speculation continues, Rose's presence in royal circles and gatherings would invite further scrutiny. It doesn't help that not so long ago Prince William was seen without his wedding ring in public, causing a wave of reaction.

As previously reported on March 12, 2024:

Prince William was seen beside his stepmother, Queen Camilla, engaging warmly with attendees through handshakes and smiles. Photos from the event were posted on the royal social media accounts.

However, amidst the regal splendor and ceremonious greetings, eagle-eyed observers on social media noted something amiss. William was without his wedding ring.

This observation quickly spiraled into a hot topic, with comments flooding the royal family's social media post. Concerns and curiosity were voiced openly, as one commenter asked, "..is he wearing a wedding ring? Bc I do not see one," while another stated, "William without his wedding ring."

However, Prince William is not the only one who has been seen without his ring.

In a recent heartwarming family photo shared to the Prince and Princess of Wales' Instagram account after the Princess's abdominal surgery, royal enthusiasts quickly noticed an unusual detail. The candid snapshot, which featured Princess Catherine surrounded by her three children, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, and Prince George, caught the attention of many with their radiant smiles.

Captured in an idyllic outdoor setting, the photo depicts a moment of familial bliss, with Prince Louis standing to his mother's right, Princess Charlotte perched on the chair’s arm next to her, and Prince George lovingly hugging her from behind. However, the absence of Princess Catherine’s iconic rings sparked a flurry of concern and speculation among followers.

Social media users—ever attentive to detail—voiced their observations and worries in the comment section of the Instagram post. "Where’s your ring Kate??? 💍👀👀", one user questioned, while another speculated, "This photo was taken before Kate went missing and Kate looks like a single mom with no wedding ring in skinny jeans. It is forbidden to wear tight clothes after abdominal surgery.”

Someone else added, “It is strange that she is not wearing her wedding ring […] it is either an old photo that wasn’t taken to release for this purpose or something [is] up with their marriage.” The concern was palpable, with another noting, “A beautiful photo but oddly she is not wearing her wedding rings.”

After forgetting to wear their rings, the couple has been seen together for the first time in a while, photographed in the car. As the picture was released, fans began their speculation.

After her first public outing since her surgery in January, fans of the royal family noticed a new dynamic between Princess Catherine and her husband, Prince William. Some observers viewed their public outing as a positive sign, indicative of happiness and unity within their relationship.

Yet, the sighting also revived uneasy comparisons to a tumultuous period in royal history, with one fan commenting it was "reminiscent of Charles and Di at the end." Others voiced concern, suggesting "Will is mad with her!" and that it "reminds me of the pictures of his parents during their last year together," with the prevailing sentiment being that they appeared "so unhappy."

Amidst these observations, a notable portion of fans detected an undercurrent of "tension" between the royal couple. Skepticism about the state of their union was evident, with comments suggesting that Kate and William might not be on "good terms." One particularly somber prediction from a fan was that "the wheels could be falling off this marriage," a reflection on the unique pressures faced by those living a life of royal duty.

In a whirlwind of rumors surrounding Prince William's alleged affair and the spotlight on Rose Hanbury, royal fans are in a frenzy of speculation. Despite attempts to keep things normal, both Prince William and Princess Catherine are under intense public scrutiny after being spotted without their wedding rings.

Every move and photo is being analyzed, with people comparing them to past royal dramas. The state of their marriage is now a hot topic, with some seeing signs of unity, while others suspect trouble brewing. The fascination with the British Royal Family remains strong, showing the world's enduring interest in the highs and lows of royal life.