Royal Expert Believes Prince William and Rose Hanbury May Have ‘Been Slightly Inappropriate’ but ‘It Was Just a Bit of a Blip’
In 2019, rumors were flying that Prince William and Rose Hanbury had an affair. The gossip persisted but then slowly faded, as Prince William‘s lawyers threatened media outlets with legal action, calling the claims “false and highly damaging.” Later that year, a royal expert circled back on the affair rumors and called it a “blip” because William wouldn’t jeopardize his marriage or the monarchy.
Rumors swirled that Prince William cheated on Kate Middleton
In early 2019, rumors that Prince William cheated on Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge with Hanbury dominated headlines. The Sun reported at the time that Kate allegedly wanted Hanbury booted from their friend group, reportedly asking Prince William to “phase her out.”
“It is well known that Kate and Rose have had a terrible falling out,” a source explained (via Daily Express). “They used to be close but that is not the case any more. William wants to play peacemaker so the two couples can remain friends, given they live so close to each other and share many mutual friends.”
The insider added, “But Kate has been clear that she doesn’t want to see them any more and wants William to phase them out, despite their social status.”
Hanbury is the Marchioness of Cholmondeley and is married to David Rocksavage. She was a fashion model in her 20s, met Rocksavage in 2003, and the two were married in 2009. They have three children.
The couple lived at Houghton Hall estate nearby the Cambridges, who have a country home called Anmer Hall in Norfolk.
Is Kate Middleton still friends with Rose Hanbury?
Despite the headlines about Prince William’s affair with Hanbury and Kate’s rumored fallout with her, the women still appear to be friends.
In 2019, Hanbury attended a state banquet for President Trump’s visit but was not seated near the Cambridges.
Hanbury was photographed at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham along with the couple in January 2020. This leads many to believe the two women are still friendly and that there was no truth to the affair rumors.
Prince Harry and Rose Hanbury may have been ‘slightly inappropriate,’ claims expert
Royal expert Angela Mollard shared some thoughts about the Prince William and Hanbury rumors during a Dec. 2019 Royals podcast episode, sharing how there may have been a “slightly inappropriate” relationship between them.
“There was all sorts of gossip at the time that William had grown close to Rose Hanbury and they were slightly improper, that Kate had frozen her out,” Mollard explained.
“Look, do we think this is true? I suspect that they were just good mates, they got on well,” she continued. “I don’t think William is the sort that would ever put either his marriage or the monarchy in jeopardy.”
Mollard continued, “They may have become close, it may have been slightly inappropriate but was there any substance to it? Look the fact that it’s died a death and that we haven’t heard about it through the rest of the year suggests to me it was just a bit of a blip.”
Mollard further explained that, while “it was a very tense time,” that it was “the only scandal that has been around during [William and Kate’s] very long relationship.”
“I think William and Kate … they’re pretty close and very happy with their family,” she added. “I think there was probably very little substance to this, but at the time of course, anything that happens with the heir to the throne, number two in waiting, it makes news headlines.”
