Rose Hanbury seems to be getting pretty close to Queen Camilla while the Princess of Wales is largely absent from public life as she undergoes treatment for cancer. The Marchioness of Cholmondeley, who lives next door to Prince William and Kate Middleton's Norfolk retreat, Anmer Hall, is said to be taking a prominent role at court.
The 40-year-old former model was recently pictured curtsying to the queen at Badminton House in Gloucestershire, which is where they both attended the horse trials.
A few days later, Lord Oliver, one of Rose's twin sons, held the royal robes at St Paul's Cathedral. He was the page of honor to King Charles and Queen Camilla at a service of dedication for the Order of the British Empire.
Rose’s husband, David, the Marquess of Cholmondeley, turns 64 next month. He is a lord-in-waiting to the king. Rose paid a subtle tribute to Kate's style by wearing the same black drop-brim hat by Lock & Co that the princess has worn in the past.
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A few months ago, rumors resurfaced that Rose and Prince William had an affair when late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert made a joke on his show. On the March 12, 2024, episode, he joked about the situation.
"I’m afraid I’ve got some troubling news about England’s royal family," he said at the time. “Internet sleuths are guessing that Kate’s absence may be related to her husband, and the future king of England, William, having an affair. So, I think we all know who the alleged other woman is. Say it with me — the Marchioness of Cholmondeley — what a beautiful name!”
The episode premiered just days before Kate publicly announced that she was had been diagnosed with cancer. Rose's lawyers responded via a statement, saying: “The rumor appears to have entered into the mainstream media recently as a result of another joke made about it on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. We have written on our client’s behalf to CBS and various other reputable media organizations to confirm that the allegation is false.”
"I am sorry that Rose/herfamily and William/his family are having to constantly endure these malicious accusations," one fan wrote in response to the affair allegations. "It's time to permanently shut this down on emphatic terms, with it being clear that people who persist will be sued for defamation. There are kids in both families who will probably be bullied with these accusations flying around. The mental health of both families needs to be considered. Its time to stop the crap on social media."
Days after announcing her cancer diagnosis, Stephen circled back on the joke he had made. “There’s a standard that I try to hold myself to, and that is I not make light of somebody else’s tragedy. Far too many of us know that any cancer diagnosis of any kind is harrowing for the patient and for their family," he said. "Though I’m sure they don’t need it from me, I and everyone here at The Late Show, would like to extend our well wishes and heartfelt hope that her recovery is swift and thorough.”
Rose has been connected with the British royal family for a while. Her grandmother served as a bridesmaid in Queen Elizabeth II's wedding and her son was one of four pages of honour at King Charles' coronation.
