Whispers of infidelity involving Prince William and the British noblewoman Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley, have persisted for years, but the chatter gained new momentum recently.
Fans of the royal family were quick to notice that Hanbury was sporting the same chic hat that has graced Kate Middleton‘s wardrobe on multiple occasions.
Just as Middleton remained out of the public eye amid her cancer treatment, Hanbury found herself grabbing headlines once more.
Hanbury, officially known as Sarah Rose Cholmondeley, is married to David Cholmondeley, the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley.
Her legal team has strongly denied the affair allegations, labeling them as entirely unfounded.
Kensington Palace has also dismissed the claims, and despite the swirling speculation, Hanbury continues to appear at events alongside royal family members.
Most recently, she was seen at a service honoring the Order of the British Empire at St. Paul’s Cathedral, where sharp-eyed spectators noted her dark Lock & Co. Tiffany hat, a piece previously favored by Middleton at significant functions.
While Kate Middleton is notably absent from the public scene, Lady Rose seems to have stepped into the royal limelight.
Middleton has been spending time with Queen Camilla, while royal watchers point out the irony of Hanbury wearing the Princess’s hat.
Talk about timing, right?
Middleton is recognized for her sophisticated hat choices, often donning the same Lock & Co. Tiffany hat during high-profile events like a Commonwealth gathering at Westminster Abbey in 2018 and the Remembrance Sunday service in 2021.
The two women were once regarded as close friends but allegedly grew apart, which coincided with the inception of those affair rumors.
Interestingly, reports from April 2023 suggested that the allegations brought Middleton and William closer together, prompting a reevaluation of their relationship.
Sources close to the royal couple mentioned that it induced a much-needed moment of reflection for them, revealing their enduring affection for one another.
“Regardless of the ups and downs, their children remain their utmost priority,” said an insider.
The coincidence of their matching hats wasn’t the sole instance of twinning, either.
Both Hanbury and Middleton have been spotted wearing the same pair of Aquazurra Bow Tie Pumps in black at King Charles III’s coronation, and Lady Rose has even been seen in a tiara reminiscent of one Middleton wore earlier this year.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that the unique tiara, the Ancaster Heathcote Tiara, has been part of Hanbury’s family since 1952 and has graced many grand events, including a State Banquet in 2015 and another one in Spain in 2017.
Despite Hanbury and William’s respective refutations of the affair claims through official channels, the ongoing tension and the public’s fascination with a supposed feud between her and Middleton continue to captivate the tabloids.
Hanbury also boasts other royal connections; her maternal grandmother once had the honor of being a bridesmaid at Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding.
With an impressive lineage that includes renowned designers as parents, Hanbury was groomed for a high-profile lifestyle, having attended the prestigious Stowe School before entering the modeling world.
Recently, Hanbury was spotted at the Badminton Horse Trials alongside Queen Camilla, a public appearance that brought the spotlight back on her just months after being embroiled in those scandalous rumors linking her to Prince William.
The two women seemed to be enjoying each other’s company while mingling with other guests, shedding light on Hanbury’s social ties to the royal family.
The Badminton Horse Trials, an annual event teeming with aristocracy and celebrities, served as an optimal stage for Hanbury to re-emerge into the public sphere after standing at the center of rumors that had begun surfacing as early as 2019.
Though palace insiders quickly set the record straight, the friendships between the two couples have continued, showcasing their resilience despite the media turbulence.
Meanwhile, Kate has been spotted with Hanbury at public events, indicating that, despite the swirling gossip, their relationship may not be as strained as many assume.
However, a new wave of speculation arose during Middleton’s extended absence from engagements earlier this year, leading to more whispers about her marriage.
Popular culture figures even got in on the act, with comedian Stephen Colbert joking that Middleton’s absence might be linked to her husband’s alleged affair, pointing to Hanbury as the likely “other woman.” This prompted a swift denial from Hanbury’s legal representation, who unequivocally called the rumors “completely false.”
Eventually, Kate’s public revelation of her cancer diagnosis clarified her absence, casting a shadow over the allegations and seemingly putting the tabloid tales to rest for the moment.
