Stephen Colbert, the host of “The Late Show,” made fun of the alleged affair between Prince William and Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley on his Tuesday, March 12 episode. This attempt at humor came amidst rumors and speculation about the secret surgery undergone by William’s wife, Kate Middleton, jokes that are notably in bad taste after Kate’s Friday, March 22 announcement of her cancer diagnosis.
Colbert suggested that Middleton’s prolonged absence from public life since December might be related to the rumored affair between her husband, Prince William, and Rose Hanbury.
The host emphasized the correct pronunciation of Cholmondeley as “Chumley,” turning it into a running joke. This gag and his monologue brought the alleged affair back into the public conversation, sparking widespread media coverage and online debate.
A family photograph of Catherine, Princess of Wales, with her three children, released by Kensington Palace on Mother’s Day in the UK, added to the controversy. Various news agencies withdrew the photo after noticing signs of editing, including some irregularities with Princess Charlotte’s hand position and the overall visual presentation of the image.
Experts in photography found several indications of image manipulation, such as blurred areas and inconsistent shading. These findings increased speculation about the transparency of the monarchy and contributed to rumors about the state of Prince William and Middleton’s marriage.
The absence of Middleton’s iconic sapphire and diamond engagement ring in the photo sparked additional rumors about her marriage. In response, Middleton posted on X (formerly Twitter) that she occasionally edits photos and apologized for any resulting confusion. However, Kensington Palace has not released the original, unedited photo.
The rumors of Prince William’s affair with Hanbury, a close neighbor and part of the royal couple’s social circle, began in 2019, but have never been substantiated. Both Hanbury and the royal couple have remained silent about these allegations in the past, which Prince William’s attorney has publicly dismissed as “false and highly damaging.” Hanbury recently denied the rumors, in light of the media’s revival of the story after Colbert’s show.
Hanbury, a former model and researcher, is married to David Rocksavage, the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, and the couple has three children. They live near the royal family’s country estate and have often attended royal events, underlining their close relationship with the royal family.
The resurgence of these rumors and the photo editing controversy have reignited public curiosity and speculation about the dynamics within the British royal family.
In his book “Endgame,” royal author, Omid Scobie, discusses the persistent nature of such rumors and mentions concerns within Kensington Palace about the potential negative impact on Prince William’s reputation.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Scobie explained why gossip about William’s alleged infidelity has spread so widely. He suggested that unchecked rumors can gain significant traction before they are addressed.
The allegations of an affair and the photo editing controversy highlight the ongoing challenges the British royal family faces in managing its public image and maintaining privacy in the digital age. Kate’s announcement of her diagnosis and treatment could be an effort to quell the rumors.