The Intriguing World of British Aristocracy: Rumours, Scandals and High Society

3 mins read
british aristocracy windsor castle

The world of British aristocracy is full of whispers and rumors, one of which involves Prince William and Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. While unverified reports suggest an extramarital affair between the two, Hanbury denies the allegations. Hanbury, a socialite and mother married to the seventh Marquess of Cholmondeley, finds herself under public scrutiny due to insidious gossip probing her loyalty, serving as a reminder of the influence of public opinion and the power of storytelling in our society.

The Unending Whisperings of Windsor Castle

Whispers and rumours are a customary part of the world of British aristocracy, and one persistent rumour involves Prince William and Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. While an American magazine suggested that Prince William may have been involved in an extramarital affair with Hanbury, it is important to highlight that these reports were unverified and largely speculative in nature.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

The Unending Whisperings of Windsor Castle

In the intricate world of British aristocracy, whispers and rumours are as customary as tea and crumpets; some have a hint of truth to them, while others are entirely baseless. One such persistent whisper that has reverberated throughout the corridors of Windsor Castle involves Prince William and Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. Hanbury, a socialite, a mother, and spouse to David Rocksavage, the seventh Marquess of Cholmondeley, has found herself under the glare of public scrutiny not by personal choice, but due to insidious gossip probing her loyalty.

The rumour mill began its relentless grind in 2019, when an American magazine, InTouch, suggested that Prince William may have been involved in an extramarital affair with Hanbury, while his wife, Kate Middleton, was expecting their third child. Harper Bazaar added fuel to the fire by implying that Kate wanted to gradually distance Hanbury from their social group in the wake of the rumours.

However, it is paramount to highlight that these reports were unverified and largely speculative in nature.

The Royal Response and an Unexpected Twist

In a realm where reputation is paramount, Prince William dealt with the allegations with a light-hearted dismissal, while Kate tackled the matter directly. Regardless, the ghost of the rumour refused to dissipate, arising once more amidst Kate’s recent photo editing controversy and the strange conspiracy theories surrounding her alleged “disappearance.”

In a surprising turn of events, the American comedian and television presenter Stephen Colbert brought up the supposed affair during an episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on the 12th of March. With his typically humorous approach, Colbert propelled the rumour further into public consciousness, albeit with a heavy dose of sarcasm.

Unlike her silent acquiescence, Hanbury resolved to silence the rumours. She conveyed, through her attorneys to Business Insider, that the allegations were “entirely untrue.” This firm denial came in the midst of a social media uproar ignited by conspiracy theories about the Princess of Wales’ apparent “disappearance.”

Unveiling Rose Hanbury: More than a Rumour

So, who exactly is Rose Hanbury, this woman thrust into the spotlight through whispers of an alleged scandal? Beyond being pegged as “Prince William’s mistress,” little is publicly known about her beyond the boundaries of British high society. With three children and married to a distinguished Marquess, Hanbury’s existence is a balance of public responsibility, familial devotion, and societal commitments. Nonetheless, it is not devoid of its fair share of undesired attention and scandalous gossip.

The rumoured affair between Prince William and Rose Hanbury serves as a quintessential example of the profound effects of whispers and conjectures in our society. It’s a narrative that, despite there being no confirmed authenticity, continues to endure, serving as a reminder of the power of storytelling and the influence of public opinion. It’s a saga that, even in the face of Hanbury’s forthright denial, will likely continue to be murmured about in the discreet discussions of high society and beyond.

What is the rumour about Prince William and Rose Hanbury?

The persistent rumour involves an extramarital affair between Prince William and Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley.

Are the reports about the alleged affair verified?

No, the reports were unverified and largely speculative in nature.

How did Kate Middleton handle the matter?

Kate Middleton tackled the matter directly.

Who is Rose Hanbury?

Rose Hanbury is a socialite, a mother, and spouse to David Rocksavage, the seventh Marquess of Cholmondeley.

What is the significance of this rumour?

The rumoured affair serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling and the influence of public opinion.

What was Rose Hanbury’s response to the allegations?

Rose Hanbury conveyed, through her attorneys to Business Insider, that the allegations were “entirely untrue.”

Isabella Schmidt is a Cape Town journalist who chronicles the city’s evolving food culture, from Bo-Kaap spice merchants to Khayelitsha microbreweries. Raised hiking the trails that link Table Mountain to the Cape Flats, she brings the flavours and voices of her hometown to global readers with equal parts rigour and heart.

Previous Story

Embracing Craftsmanship: A Collaborative Endeavor between NBI and the City of Cape Town

Next Story

The Ongoing High-Profile Murder Case: Accusations, Revelations, and Legal Proceedings

Latest from Blog

From Randburg to the Record Books: How Tyla Rewrote Pop History in 2:45

Tyla, a young artist from Randburg, South Africa, exploded onto the music scene with her song “Chanel.” This catchy tune, made simply on headphones, became a massive hit without biglabel help. Thanks to TikTok and Spotify’s smart playlists, her music found millions of listeners globally. Tyla’s success shows that a great song, shared widely online, can now rewrite music history and reach the top charts, even from far away. She owns her music, giving her power that earlier artists never had.

Cape Town’s “Red Wedge”: How a 900-Metre Airport On-Ramp Became South Africa’s Most Watched Kill-Zone

{“summary”: “The \”Red Wedge\” in Cape Town is a dangerous 900meter stretch of airport road. It’s famous for terrible crimes like carjackings and smashandgrabs, making it South Africa’s most watched ‘killzone.’ This area was poorly designed in the 1970s, which now helps criminals ambush cars. Even with many cameras, police struggle to stop the quick attacks. Now, a big wall is being built, and new tech like drones and special apps are helping to fight back against the robbers.”}

South Africa’s 2025 Beef Surge: When Biology, Red Tape and a Thirsty Planet Collide

South African beef prices shot up in 2025, not because of local good news, but because the world ran short of red meat. Fewer cattle everywhere and China’s pork problems made other countries hungry for South African beef. Even with local sickness and people here buying less, farmers made more money. They sold to new places like the Middle East, using special tricks to get around problems. But the future is tricky, with animal sickness, changing weather, and how much money is worth all playing a part in what happens next for South African beef.

A Province That Won’t Stop Knocking on the Constitutional Door

The Western Cape really wants to break away from South Africa, but it’s super hard because of the law. The country’s main rule says South Africa must stay as one, and changing that is almost impossible. Even though many people in the Western Cape feel left behind and want to control their own future, the government keeps saying ‘no’. So, for now, the Western Cape has to find other ways to get more power without leaving the country.