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Times have been tough lately for Kate Middleton and Prince William. The two royals have been in the spotlight for years now, and suddenly they’ve been pushed into the limelight with the arrival of Harry and Meghan Markle. But if they feel any bitterness, they’ve never expressed it outwardly. And despite whatever rumors crop up regarding their relationship with Harry and Markle, they keep it civil and stylish.

But lately, Prince William has been getting slammed with rumors of infidelity, specifically claims that he cheated on Middleton with their friend, Rose Hanbury. And it’s not the first time infidelity rumors have been floated around. It seems as if things haven’t always been perfect the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. And if the rumors of infidelity are true, one has to wonder if Middleton has ever felt frustrated enough to engage in infidelity herself.

Prince William accused — who is Rose Hanbury?

Sasha Volkova, Rose Hanbury and Katie Readman
Sasha Volkova, Rose Hanbury and Katie Readman | Dave M. Benett/Getty Images

Rose Hanbury was a close friend of Kate Middleton’s, bearing the title Marchioness of Cholmondeley. For those not in the know (read, most everyone), a Marchioness is the wife or widow of a Marquess. Hanbury is married to David Rocksavage, movie director and 77th Marquess of Cholmondeley.

Hanbury’s home is actually rather close to Middleton and WIlliam’s country home, Amner Hall. This may be how the couples became close friends, though they were friendly enough for Hanbury and Rocksavage to attend Middleton and William’s wedding in 2011.

Hanbury, who is 23 years Rocksavage’s junior, is a former fashion model with Storm.

The relationship turned sour

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge | Dominic Lipinski – WPA Pool/Getty Images

According to The Sun, Kate Middleton has asked that Prince William begin “phasing out” their relationship with Hanbury and Rocksavage. Naturally, rumors began to circulate as to why. It wasn’t long before we began to hear whispers of possible infidelity.

“It is well known that Kate and Rose have had a terrible falling out. They used to be close but that is not the case any more,” wrote Dan Wootton of The Sun.

Australian tabloid New Idea claims that a source informed them the rumors are false. “The rumors started around Christmas that William had become just a bit too close to Rose and was infatuated with her,” the insider claimed. “She is a naturally flirtatious and beautiful woman and William is only human. The rumors are untrue but they got back to Kate and she hit the roof … It’s very sad because they were close friends and Rose’s children played with Kate’s George and Charlotte.”

Meanwhile, Middleton and Hanbury claim that there’s no bad blood between them whatsoever. Cosmopolitan reports that a family source said, “these hurtful rumors of a fallout are simply false. William and David [Rose’s husband] were in touch with each other over the weekend, not knowing whether to laugh or complain. Both wives are hurt by the suggestion that there is any argument or even a coolness between them. They have plans for future events involving their charity.”

However, reporter and writer Nicole Cliff tweeted an extensive thread in which she suggests that the rumors may well be true, hence the increased efforts to suppress them.

Has Kate Middleton ever cheated?

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge | Dominic Lipinski – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Imagine, if the rumors are true, how it would feel to be Middleton. Style Caster claims that this isn’t the first time Prince William has been accused of infidelity. “However, what she didn’t expect was to be ignored entirely by the prince at his birthday party in favor of another woman. In her book Kate: The Future Queen –royal expert and biographer Katie Nicholl explain that the Duke of Cambridge spent all his time with Jecca Craig –his old friend and rumored ex who had flown in from Kenya for the party.”

The royal duo split briefly in 2004, around which Kate Middleton was having concerns over William’s commitment to their relationship, according to author Katie Nicholl.

“Kate was beginning to question William’s commitment to their relationship, and she also had her own creeping doubts about their future after St Andrews. A number of things had caused her to question William’s commitment, although she had not raised them with him yet,” wrote Nicholl in her book William and Harry.

However, it appears as if Middleton has remained truly faithful to her husband. At least, she’s never made headlines about any alleged misdeeds. The closest she ever came was dating one of William’s classmates when the couple split again in 2007. Kudos to Kate.