Amidst Princess of Wales Kate Middleton’s extended absence from public appearances, speculation has soared to new heights with the emergence of a conspiracy theory linking her withdrawal to rumors of an alleged affair between her husband, Prince William, and Sarah Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. The controversy has placed Rose Hanbury, aged 40 and considered a close friend of both Prince William and Kate Middleton, under intense scrutiny, triggering widespread speculation across various media platforms, including coverage on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
Addressing the fervor surrounding Middleton’s disappearance, Colbert remarked, “The kingdom has been all aflutter by the seeming disappearance of Kate Middleton. 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.” Colbert further cited tabloid reports claiming that when Middleton allegedly confronted Prince William about the rumors, he dismissed them with laughter, stating there was no truth to the speculation. Colbert humorously remarked, “Always a good response when your wife accuses you of cheating,” before expressing sympathy for Middleton and highlighting Rose Hanbury as the alleged other woman, playfully emphasizing her title, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley.
Despite the spotlight on her, Hanbury promptly addressed the rumors and unequivocally denied any involvement, branding the allegations as “completely false,” according to reports from Business Insider. Hanbury’s familial ties to the royal family through generations were also noted, with her grandmother, Lady Elizabeth Lambart, being mentioned as one of the bridesmaids at Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s wedding in 1947, as reported by the NY Post.
Meanwhile, Kate Middleton’s absence from public view traces back to January 16, following an abdominal surgery for a non-cancerous yet unspecified condition. Since then, apart from a few blurry photographs, she has remained out of sight, sparking heightened speculation about her health on social media platforms. The absence has garnered global attention, generating headlines and fueling further rumors regarding Middleton’s well-being.
