Prince William Attends His First Public Duty since His Wife’s Cancer Announcement

Prince William made his first appearance in a royal capacity since his beloved wife, Princess Catherine announced her battle with cancer, and his attendance at a sporting event fueled cheating allegations.

Stepping out for a visit to Surplus for Supper in Surrey to give a helping hand, Prince William loaded food and cooked in the food distribution charity’s kitchen in Sunbury-on-Thames.

“It smells good in here, Mario,” Prince William said as he joined chef Mario Colfait in the kitchen to make bolognese, chili con carne, and sausage casserole.

After being handed a big knife and tasked to slice celery, the Prince joked that he was worried about keeping his fingers and everyone’s appetite intact.

“It’s the biggest knife, hope for the best. I don’t want to mess up everyone’s lunch. I hope I haven’t ruined your lunch, but you can blame me,” he said.

While there, Rachel Candappa, a 71-year-old volunteer, handed Prince William two get-well-soon cards and told him to look after his ailing wife, to which he replied, "I will."

The Prince’s royal outing came shortly after he was spotted at a football match with his son Prince George, and it caused quite a stir online.

Eagle-eyed fans noticed one of Lady Rose Hanbury’s sons sitting with them and had a few things to say since accusations that she is Prince William’s mistress had already been doing the rounds.

In the comment section, one person wrote, "The boy on the right is Rose's son, the same boy from the coronation." Another added, "His wife had cancer, and he's enjoying a match with his mistress's son."

Speculation about Rose's son's attendance continued even on the X platform, with one netizen emphasizing, "Don’t forget the other lady’s son too. He’s right there with them. #blendedfamily." More people shared the same sentiments, "Not exactly the father-son duo. William brought Rose Hanbury’s son along with him too," Another X user asked, "And his other son?"

However, in the midst of speculative comments, some netizens commended the Prince of Wales for taking his son out to watch the match. "Prince William is an incredible father," gushed a commenter, with another adding, "Now that’s how a real father spends time with his son. Just saying."

The relationship Prince Willaim has had with Lady Rose has been analyzed by online users for a long time. As previously reported on March 20, 2024, the interest in the story of Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley unfolded years ago.

Everything from her engagement at 25, a pregnancy announcement, and marriage, which all took place in just three days, has recently been thrust back into the limelight. The recent unprecedented attention Rose has been getting regarding her alleged affair with Prince William has ignited a new wave of intrigue and interest in her personal life.

Although the former model and researcher has denied the affair allegations, she has still found herself at the center of a vortex of speculation and scandal. Still, the lightning speed at which her significant life events took place is what has captured attention and scrutiny.

A writer for a well-known news outlet chronicled the whirlwind series of events in 2009. According to the article, the engagement of Rose to David Rocksavage, the Marquess of Cholmondeley, was swiftly followed by an announcement from Rose's mother, Emma Hanbury, that her daughter was expecting twins.

Almost immediately after this announcement circulated in public spheres, the couple married in a discreet ceremony at Chelsea Old Town Hall with no photographs from their engagement or wedding shared, adding an air of mystery to their union.

Aside from her husband, with whom she shares twin sons Alexander, Earl of Rocksavage and Oliver, Lord Cholmondeley and daughter Lady Iris, Rose's familial background is rich in connections to the British royal family. She and her sister Marina Hanbury grew up under the guidance of their parents, Emma and Timothy Hanbury.

Emma's expertise in interior design and her royal ties—closely connected to Queen Elizabeth II—speak volumes about a family deeply embedded in British aristocratic tradition. Meanwhile, Marina's own story mirrors Rose's as she also married an aristocrat significantly older than her, with whom she shares three children.

Like Marina and her husband, Edward Lambton, 7th Earl of Durham, Rose Hanbury and David have an age gap of over 20 years; they are 24 years apart, to be exact. The couple's love story began on a holiday in Italy in 2003 and culminated in a hasty marriage at the Chelse registry office.

Public reaction to the whirlwind of events in Rose's life, particularly against the backdrop of her alleged affair with Prince William, has been a blend of astonishment, skepticism, and conspiracy theorizing.

Social media users have delved into the complexities of her situation, with one stating, “The late Queen asked her Lord Chamberlain, a gay man, to marry Rose Hanbury with 3 days notice, and as the protector of the Crown, he obliged. Not even Charles threatened the line of succession, but William has.”

Another comment read, “#RoseHanbury was five months pregnant with twins when she married a man twice her age who was thought to be gay. Risky in a time when DNA tests are available.”

Someone else asserted, “Rose Hanbury Cholmondeley, Prince William's mistress, announced she was engaged a day before her wedding, announced she was pregnant with twins the day after her wedding & gave birth 7 months later. One of those twins is in King Charles III grandchildren's procession at Coronation.”

Despite trying to deny the allegations, many continue to relate the quickness of her life events to the alleged affair scandal. As the public tries to investigate the close relationship between the two families, it is not entirely abnormal for their children to have a close relationship given that they live close to one another.

The couple live in an extraordinary house in Houghton, Norfolk, located just three miles from Anmer Hall, home to Prince William and Princess Catherine where they are reportedly living amid her cancer treatment.

Their move to the 200-year-old pink dwelling in 2022, a decision initially propelled by a desire for privacy, has now turned into a sanctuary for recovery as the Princess of Wales undergoes cancer treatment.

Nestled within the serene expanses of Windsor Home Park, the 655-acre estate offers a stark contrast to the family’s previous residence at Kensington Palace. The cottage’s charm, history, and "domestic" architecture underscore a lineage of royal occupants that traces back to its construction in 1831 as a summer retreat for Queen Adelaide.

With its picturesque grounds and close proximity to the Lambrook School—where the Wales children are students—and stables for their equestrian pursuits, Adelaide Cottage provides an ideal backdrop for the family’s endeavors towards a semblance of normal life amid trying times.