Rumors of Lady Rose Hanbury’s alleged affair with Prince William have resurfaced as people question Kate Middleton’s whereabouts after last being seen in public in December 2023.

In January 2024, Kensington Palace announced that the Princess of Wales would be undergoing abdominal surgery and would not be seen in public until Easter.

However, her disappearance became a hot topic when she posted an “altered” photo of herself with her three children in honor of Mother’s Day, which was celebrated March 10 in the UK.

Lady Rose Hanbury at the Service of Thanksgiving in 2022.
Rose Hanbury has become a trending topic on social media since conspiracy theories surfaced regarding Kate Middleton’s discreet whereabouts and her marriage to Prince William.Getty Images

Kate Middleton smiling in 2021.


The affair rumors surfaced as Middleton has kept a low profile following abdominal surgery in January 2024.
After the royal family faced mounting backlash due to the heavily edited picture, the mom of three released an apology, admitting that she was behind the botched image.

And while the princess still hasn’t been publicly seen — aside from a few grainy photos of her riding in the car — rumors about the Prince of Wales’ alleged affair with Hanbury have started surfacing once again.

Find out more about the woman involved in #KateGate below.

Who is Rose Hanbury and what is her title?

Lady Rose Hanbury at the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in 2023.
The Marchioness of Cholmondeley was born in March 1984 and is the daughter of Timothy Hanbury, a website designer, and Emma Hanbury, a fashion designer.WireImage

Lady Rose Hanbury at Sunday service in 2020.
Comedian Stephen Colbert recently trolled William about the affair rumors.Getty Images
Rose was born on March 15, 1984, and is the daughter of Timothy Hanbury, a website designer, and Emma Hanbury, a fashion designer.

Rose’s mom is the granddaughter of Lady Elizabeth Longman, who had a close relationship with Queen Elizabeth II.

Longman was even a bridesmaid in the late queen’s 1947 wedding to Prince Philip.

Rose previously worked as a fashion model, signing with the Storm agency when she was only 23. She also briefly worked as a researcher for Conservative politician Michael Gove.

What is Rose Hanbury’s relationship with Prince William and what are the allegations?

Kate Middleton and Prince William during their wedding in 2011.
Rose used to be close friends with the Prince of Wales and his wife and even attended their 2011 wedding.AP

Prince William, Kate Middleton and their kids.
In 2019, In Touch reported that William allegedly cheated on Middleton while she was pregnant with their third child, Louis.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Rose was close friends with both Wiliam and Middleton, even attending their 2011 wedding before affair rumors between her and the prince surfaced in 2019.

In Touch reported that William allegedly cheated with Rose while Middleton was pregnant with their third child, Louis.

Then in 2022, gossip site Deuxmoi posted a tip that claimed a British royal couple’s “extramarital affair is an open secret,” per a screenshot shared by Cosmopolitan.

Though the tip didn’t disclose the name of the royal in question, fans speculated that it was the future heir to the throne.

Prince Harry and Prince William in 2018.
Both Rose and William have not publicly spoken out about the rumors.Getty Images

Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2007.
The future king’s attorney told the Daily Beast in 2019 that the claims were “false and highly damaging.”Getty Images
The alleged entanglement was also briefly talked about in Omid Scobie’s latest, book, “Endgame,” even though the British journalist said he thought it was merely just a rumor.

Comedian Stephen Colbert also trolled William about the affair rumors.

“The kingdom has been all aflutter 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 said on a March 2024 episode of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.”

Neither Rose nor William have publicly addressed the rumors, but the future king’s attorney told the Daily Beast in 2019 that the claims were “false and highly damaging.”

Is Rose Hanbury married? Does she have any children?

David Cholmondeley and Lady Rose Hanbury in 2015.
Rose married David Cholmondeley, 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, in June 2009.David M. Benett
In June 2009, Rose married David Cholmondeley, 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, at Chelsea Town Hall in London — two days after their engagement was announced.

They have since welcomed three children: twin boys Alexander Hugh George Cholmondeley, Earl of Rocksavage, and Lord Oliver Timothy George Cholmondeley, in October 2009, and daughter Lady Iris Marina Aline Cholmondeley in March 2016.

The family resides at their Norfolk estate, Houghton Hall, which is not far from William and Middleton’s estate, Anmer Hall.