William and Kate are often seen as the perfect couple. Their love story began at the University of St. Andrews, where they met and eventually married, overcoming many obstacles along the way. Today, they have a beautiful family. As King Charles grows older, Prince William’s moment to step into a larger role is fast approaching.
Both William and Kate value their close friendships, but several years ago, a shocking rumor about William and an alleged mistress surfaced, leaving many followers in disbelief.
The affair reportedly involved another woman, someone close to Princess Kate. But what really happened? Who is the woman at the center of this scandal? Let’s take a closer look.
Princess Kate and Prince William crossed paths at St Andrews University. While both had previous relationships, it was evident from the start that their connection was unique.
They both lived in St. Salvator’s Hall and took the same courses. During their second year, they moved into a private residence with friends, where their bond deepened.
The relationship between William and Kate blossomed thanks in part to their shared sense of humor, which brought them even closer, according to those who know them well.
In their engagement video, William shared, “She has a mischievous sense of humor, which works well for me because I have a rather cheeky sense of humor too. It made things fun, we shared a lot of laughs, and then everything just fell into place.”
As soon as the news broke, the British press, especially tabloids, quickly picked up on the fact that Kate Middleton was the future king’s girlfriend. The media not only focused on their love story but also dug deep into Kate’s personal life, often subjecting her to harsh and unfair criticism.
Both William and Kate graduated in 2005, with William earning a degree in geography and Kate in history.
Despite the strong connection between the couple, there were those who tried to undermine their relationship. According to Katie Nicholl, William’s friends would often make unkind remarks and call Kate hurtful names, mocking her mother Carole’s career. Before establishing a successful business with Michael, Carole worked as a British Airways flight attendant.
On Vanity Fair’s Dynasty podcast, Nicholl claimed that William’s elitist friends took advantage of the situation. When Kate would arrive at a London nightclub, they would mockingly whisper “doors to manual,” referencing her mother’s former job.
Some members of the aristocracy referred to the princess’s family as “the common Middletons.”
William’s friends were often unkind to Kate, with the “Glosse Posse” – a group of aristocratic pals from Gloucestershire – treating her as if she were inferior. Despite the harsh treatment, Kate never reacted to the insults. She chose to ignore the cruel remarks.
“She’s strong and resilient,” a royal aide shared with the Sunday Times Magazine. “It wasn’t easy for her, but I’ve never seen her lose her composure.”
In 2021, a source told the Daily Mail that Prince William became very upset when his friends mocked Kate, expressing his anger over the insults.
Prince William has always been quick to react whenever he feels Kate is being disrespected, according to a royal insider. “He’s particularly sensitive to any sign of her being belittled and takes action immediately,” the source revealed.
The insider also shared that over the years, many people have proposed ideas for Kate, but if they’re dismissed or ignored, William doesn’t tolerate it.
There was widespread speculation that an engagement was imminent. However, it wasn’t until two years later that things began to unravel.
In 2007, William and Kate publicly ended their relationship. The year before, both had turned down each other’s invitations to spend important holidays together, creating tension and uncertainty in their relationship.
William is said to have declined an invitation from Kate’s parents for New Year’s Eve, leaving Kate feeling deeply upset and in tears.
In The Making of a Royal Romance (2011), Nicholl recounted how Kate was uncertain about the future of their relationship. On Boxing Day, William canceled plans to meet with Kate and her family, opting instead to spend the time with the royal family.
Amidst his doubts, William sought advice from the Queen and his father, Prince Charles, about his emotions. They provided him with clear guidance.
William, uncertain about his future with Kate, took the opportunity to discuss his feelings with both his father and grandmother. According to Nicholl, they both advised him to avoid rushing into any decisions.
William and Kate’s relationship endured, strengthened by the deep bond of their friendship.
The couple wed at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. Their family grew with the birth of Prince George in 2013, followed by Princess Charlotte in 2015, and Prince Louis in 2018.
As public figures, both William and Kate are viewed as role models, especially in how they raise their children. Despite the pressures of their royal status, they have always sought to provide George, Charlotte, and Louis with a childhood that feels as normal as possible, although the constraints of their position can appear strict to the outside world.
However, in 2019, a tabloid rumor sent shockwaves through the royal family. Was William unfaithful?
Reports suggested William may have had an affair with Rose Hanbury, a friend of Kate’s and the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. It’s important to note that these claims remain unverified. In April 2019, In Touch magazine reported the speculation about the alleged affair.
The reported tension between William, Kate, and Rose Hanbury was widely covered in tabloids. In Touch claimed that Kate confronted William about the rumors, but he dismissed them with a laugh, insisting they were unfounded.
Royal expert Richard Kay of the Daily Mail called the reports false and misleading.
Both parties considered legal action, but due to the lack of evidence, they ultimately chose not to pursue the matter. Kay emphasized that the rumors were not only inaccurate but also hurtful.
The speculation spread rapidly, and by 2019, The Daily Mail reported that Kate was distancing herself from Rose Hanbury. Rose, who lived close to William and Kate in Norfolk, shared the same social circle, with neighboring estates, which only fueled the gossip. William and Kate’s summer home, Anmer Hall, is near Rose and her husband’s 106-room Houghton Hall.
Who is Rose Hanbury?
Rose Hanbury has deep-rooted connections with the royal family, as reported by Tatler. Her maternal grandmother, Lady Elizabeth Lambert, was one of the bridesmaids at Queen Elizabeth’s 1947 wedding to Prince Philip.
Before becoming close with the royals, Rose and Kate had known each other for years. The couples, William and Kate, and Rose and her husband, David, the Marquess of Cholmondeley, even double-dated. They also share a common interest in supporting the East Anglia Children’s Hospice.
Rose attended Stowe boarding school and later studied at Open University. Although her modeling career was short-lived, she was signed by Storm, the agency that discovered Kate Moss, at 23. Her professional path shifted when she became a political researcher for Conservative MP Michael Gove.
Rose and David married at Chelsea Town Hall six years after meeting on vacation in 2003. They now have three children: Alexander, the Earl of Rocksavage, and Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, born in 2009, and Lady Iris in 2016.
Prince George plays with Rose’s two sons, and Lord Oliver was one of King Charles’ Pages of Honor at the May coronation. Rose has frequently been seen with the royal family, including sitting next to Prince Harry at a 2017 Buckingham Palace royal dinner. Recently, her husband was appointed Lord-in-Waiting to King Charles, serving as a personal attendant to the monarch.
Sources close to the royal family have denied the affair rumors, calling them “simply false.” In 2019, when the affair speculation first surfaced, both William and Rose, along with their spouses, were taken aback.
One insider commented, “These hurtful rumors are completely untrue. William and David talked over the weekend and were unsure whether to laugh or be upset about it.”
Another source added, “The rumors are causing distress for both couples, as they’ve never had to deny something that’s baseless and completely untrue. It’s just absurd.”
With no evidence to support the claims, it’s safe to say they remain unfounded. A recent joint appearance at a music event may simply explain the friendly relationship between Kate and Rose, as they continue to support each other.
According to the Daily Mail, Kate attended the Houghton Music Festival in Norfolk with her friends. The festival, held at David and Rose Hanbury’s vast 1,000-acre Houghton Hall estate, attracts around 12,000 guests and frequently hosts royal visitors.
Before attending the festival, Kate reportedly had dinner with David and Rose at their estate. Although Catherine had some concerns, she ultimately decided to go after consulting with her security team, ensuring plenty of protection for the outing. William was not present, according to an insider from Daily Mail.
At the festival, Kate and her friends enjoyed a relaxing time, having traveled from the city. Instead of opting for food trucks, they dined at the festival’s restaurant, Turntable & Napkin. The London Evening Standard noted that Kate was in great spirits, ordering spicy margaritas, enjoying affogato, and chatting warmly with her companions.
Her group also brought a large bottle of AIX rosé, gifting the festival’s food staff a £700 tip alongside Kate.
While rumors about William and Rose Hanbury’s alleged affair have circulated, they have never been confirmed. We hope the two couples and their families continue to create wonderful memories together.
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