- Several years ago, a story surfaced in the British tabloids claiming that Kate Middleton had a falling out with her Norfolk neighbor, Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley.
- A piece in the Sun, which has since been taken down, went so far as to call Rose Kate's "rural rival," but the Daily Mail's Richard Kay reports that the story is false, and both women "have considered legal action but, because none of the reports have been able to offer any evidence about what the so-called dispute is about, they have chosen to ignore it."
- The Marchioness of Cholmondeley has since been seen publicly with the Cambridges on more than one occasion, including the service of Thanksgiving for Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth's funeral.
- In April 2023, it was announced that her son Oliver will be a page at King Charles's Coronation, and Rose was there as well.
- Rumors about Rose Hanbury's relationship with the Waleses—in particular speculation that she had an affair with Prince William—reached a fever pitch in March 2024, following Kate's retreat from the public eye following an abdominal surgery. While Kensington Palace has not commented on the story, through a lawyer, Hanbury told Business Insider that "the rumours are completely false."
The Princess of Wales is no stranger to rumors about her personal life. But in recent weeks they've reached fever pitch following an abdominal surgery, and a recovery out of the public eye. Speculation about Kate's health and the state of her marriage only escalated after she admitted to editing a portrait of her and her three children, which Kensington Palace released for Mother's Day in the UK. Notably, she was not wearing her wedding or engagement ring in the photo.
This prompted an old rumor about Prince William's alleged relationship with their neighbor Rose Hanbury to resurface. It was further fueled by Stephen Colbert who joked about it on his late-night show.
"The Kingdom has been all a flutter about the seeming disappearance of Kate Middleton," Colbert said. "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 also specifically called out Hanbury, saying:
"So, I think we all know who the alleged other woman is. Say it with me –– the Marchioness of Cholmondeley –– what a beautiful name!" Kensington Palace has not commented on the story, but through a lawyer, Hanbury told Business Insider that "the rumours are completely false."
This news cycle echoes one many years ago. In March 2019, The Sun claimed that Kate had a "rival," Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. But the Daily Mail was quick to debunk the speculation, with Richard Kay even reporting that both women "have considered legal action but, because none of the reports have been able to offer any evidence about what the so-called dispute is about, they have chosen to ignore it."
Over the years, even after the 2019 rumor, Kate and Hanbury have since been seen publicly together, including attending church in Sandringham.
Rose was also seen at the memorial service for Prince Philip in spring 2022, as well as the funeral for Queen Elizabeth later that year.
And in April 2023, it was announced that Rose's son Oliver would be one of the pages at King Charles's coronation, alongside Prince George, among others. Rose attended the historic event as well.
Rumored royal rift aside, here's what else we know about Hanbury.
She's married to the David Rocksavage, the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley.
Rose and David wed at Chelsea Town Hall in 2009 after a very brief engagement. According to Hello, "in June 2009 the couple announced their engagement, the next day it was revealed they were expecting and just a day later they tied the knot."
David and Rose have three children together.
Their family includes twin boys Alexander and Oliver, and a younger daughter named Iris.
The family lives at Houghton Hall in Norfolk.
The home, which was built in the 1700s for Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole, is located just a few miles away from Will and Kate's home, Anmer Hall. Given their proximity to one another the couples reportedly run in the same social circle, a group hilariously known as the "Turnip toffs" by British media.
Should you be interested in visiting the property, it's open on select days from May through September.
Rose is a former fashion model.
She reportedly had a contract with Storm, the agency which notably discovered Kate Moss. Rose also previously worked as a researcher for Tory MP Michael Gove.
She has numerous royal connections.
In addition to her friendship with William and Kate, Rose's grandmother and namesake Lady Rose Lambert was a bridesmaid in Queen Elizabeth's wedding to Prince Philip.
Following the initial rumors that she and Kate had a falling out, she's been photographed at royal events on multiple occasions.
She attended the banquet in honor of President Trump's state visit to the UK, and was seated somewhat near William and Kate. And in January of 2020, she was photographed at church in Sandringham with the then-Cambridges.
As the digital director for Town & Country, Caroline Hallemann covers culture, entertainment, and a range of other subjects
