Prince William’s Rumored Mistress: Engagement, Pregnancy Announcement & Wedding within a Span of 3 Days

In the tapestry of modern British aristocracy, few threads are as colorful and fraught with speculation as the story of Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. Her life story—which unfolded years ago with an engagement at 25, a pregnancy announcement, and then marriage, all taking place in just three days—has recently been thrust back into the limelight.

In light of the recent unprecedented attention Rose has been getting regarding her alleged affair with Prince William, a new wave of intrigue and interest in her personal life has taken center stage.

Although the former model and researcher has denied the affair allegations, she has still found herself at the center of a vortex of speculation and scandal. The lightning speed at which her significant life events took place is what has captured attention and scrutiny.

A writer for a well-known news outlet chronicled the whirlwind series of events in 2009. According to the article, the engagement of Rose to David Rocksavage, the Marquess of Cholmondeley, was swiftly followed by a pregnancy announcement from Rose’s mother, Emma Hanbury, who revealed that her daughter was expecting twins.

Almost immediately after this announcement circulated in public spheres, the couple married in a discreet ceremony at Chelsea Old Town Hall with no photographs from their engagement or wedding shared, adding an air of mystery to their union.

Aside from her husband, with whom she shares twin sons Alexander, Earl of Rocksavage and Oliver, Lord Cholmondeley and daughter Lady Iris, Rose’s familial background is rich in connections to the British royal family. She and her sister Marina Hanbury grew up under the guidance of their parents, Emma and Timothy Hanbury.

Emma’s expertise in interior design and her royal ties—closely connected to Queen Elizabeth II—speak volumes about a family deeply embedded in British aristocratic tradition. Meanwhile, Marina’s own story mirrors Rose’s as she also married an aristocrat significantly older than her, with whom she shares three children.

Like Marina and her husband, Edward Lambton, 7th Earl of Durham, Rose Hanbury and David have an age gap of over 20 years; they are 24 years apart, to be exact. The couple’s love story began on a holiday in Italy in 2003 and culminated in a hasty marriage at the Chelse registry office.

Public reaction to the whirlwind of events in Rose’s life, particularly against the backdrop of her alleged affair with Prince William, has been a blend of astonishment, skepticism, and conspiracy theorizing.

Social media users have delved into the complexities of her situation, with one stating, “The late Queen asked her Lord Chamberlain, a gay man, to marry Rose Hanbury with 3 days notice, and as the protector of the Crown, he obliged. Not even Charles threatened the line of succession, but William has.”

Another comment read, “#RoseHanbury was five months pregnant with twins when she married a man twice her age who was thought to be gay. Risky in a time when DNA tests are available.”

Someone else, who accompanied their message with a meme calling for people to connect the dots of the situation, asserted, “Rose Hanbury Cholmondeley, Prince William’s mistress, announced she was engaged a day before her wedding, announced she was pregnant with twins the day after her wedding & gave birth 7 months later. One of those twins is in King Charles III grandchildren’s procession at Coronation.”

Rose’s journey, from her rapid marital progression to the swirling rumors of royal infidelity, encapsulates a narrative that blurs the lines between personal decision-making and the weight of public scrutiny. Despite what she has done to attempt to quell the online frenzy and interest with her denial of being involved in an affair with Prince William, many continue to relate the quickness of her life events to the alleged affair scandal.

As previously reported on March 19:

Rose Hanbury is rumored to be Prince William’s mistress. The speculations that the two are having an affair intensified when Catherine, Princess of Wales took a break from public duties after a scheduled abdominal surgery.

However, Rose, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley is married to David Cholmondeley, the Marquess of Cholmondeley. The couple live in an extraordinary house in Houghton, Norfolk, which is located just three miles from Anmer Hall, home to Prince William and Princess Catherine. Rose and David once gave a private tour of its polished interior and glorious gardens.

The castle-like house, called Houghton Hall, is built with a blend of Georgian architecture and English landscape gardening. The house has a black diamond-patterned flagstone floor, fireplaces, niches, pediments, and busts done by John Michael Rysbrack, a Flemish sculptor.

The hall, which is peach, is done in an Anglo-Palladian style by architect Colen Campbell. It was built by Thomas Ripley. The hall also features rainbow-colored geometric glass sculpture, done by Sean Scully, an Irish-American artist.

The staterooms, which are open to visitors, are filled by William Kent’s, a contractor, ornate opulence. The furniture and picture frames also make the house feel like a home to Rose, David, and their three kids.

David was given a new role as one of the King’s Lords in Waiting after the coronation of King Charles III. Together with Rose and their kids, they enjoy this residence, whose lawns have peacocks and a white deer.

The sparkly clean bathroom is a sight to behold. However, one does not help but notice Rose’s questionable decor choice, considering that the toilet paper has been kept in a bowl on the floor, which is quite odd and funny. Most toilet papers in modern bathrooms are kept in a roll holder mounted on the wall.

Still, indoors, the piping, electricity, and phone system were all revamped. The mansion’s bedrooms are filled with gorgeous antique furniture and paintings. The chandeliers are well-decorated, some using sewn fabric.

The vaulted ceilings and sturdy pillars make the halls stand out. The sitting room is filled with light while the impressive stairwell is made up of a 17th-century bronze replica of a Borghese Gladiator by Le Sueur.

One wing of the hall hosts the family kitchen while another has a cute picture gallery with portraits of old masters and a chinoiserie anteroom. Rose’s husband has been familiar with this house since he was a child as he lived there and would visit during summer. His grandmother, Lady Sybil Cholmondeley educated him about the house.

Rose also said, “I was startled by the house on my first visit – it is so beautiful. I suppose I have learned a lot through living here and through David, who is so knowledgeable.” The first thing Rose Hanbury and her husband did was create a family kitchen with big sofas, restore the nursery, and enhance the children’s bedrooms.

Still, Rose noted, “The house never felt spooky – you could sense that it has been well lived-in and loved.” Additionally, the regular introduction of art installations throughout the estate and inside the house itself continuously attracts visitors, offering fresh viewpoints of Houghton with each visit.

Yet Houghton Hall is not simply a relic of the past; it has an air of ongoing development and habitation. The owners continue to uncover surprises, including an unopened box of Sunlight soaps. However, not all discoveries are pleasant, such as a neglected wardrobe filled with fur coats damaged by moths. The laundry room is also piled high.

Furthermore, David transformed a spacious, fire-damaged room in the north wing—previously used as a gym by his sports-enthusiast grandfather—into sleek, art deco-inspired living quarters.

Initially, David planned to reside there with Rose upon marriage. However, as their family expanded, the space became inadequate for their needs and is now utilized as guest accommodation.

The two-level, two-bedroom apartment, adorned with polished, ginger-toned maple wood, exudes the elegance of a 1920s luxury cruise ship. It is furnished with art deco items from David’s London home and collectibles from the couple’s own deco-inspired Houghton Collection, founded in 2002.

This apartment’s interiors shine as light reflects off surfaces of glass, mirrors, and marble. Cholmondeley’s Scandinavian art collection adorns the walls, and the open-plan kitchen offers views of a secluded garden with a swimming pool. “We are always here in the summer: it is so private,” said Rose.

Rose enjoys living with her family in Houghton Hall. The family doesn’t use the staterooms in any personal capacity as they are too formal. However, they have made a lovely home in their private quarters, which holds a mix of the new and old, including possessions from their travels.

Rose said she and David have worked together to create a mix of traditional English Country house style that has color and is warm and welcoming.

As previously reported on March 19:

In a statement that has rippled through royal circles and beyond, Lady Sarah Rose Hanbury weighed in on the swirling affair allegations linking her to Prince William. “The rumours are completely false,” declared Lady Sarah through her legal representatives in an effort to draw an end to the speculation that has intrigued and divided public opinion.

This emphatic denial comes against the backdrop of renewed interest and speculation in the royal family’s personal dynamics, magnified by popular media and online platforms alike. The affair allegations resurfaced with vigor following a segment on Stephen Colbert’s late-night show, which tapped into the whirlwind of internet theories surrounding Princess Catherine’s recent ongoing absence from the public.

According to a news outlet, Stephen brought the rumor into the limelight. He mentioned that many people suggest that the Princess’s absence might be tied to murmurs of an affair between her husband—the future King of England—and Lady Sarah.

His monologue also touched on the fact that the affair rumors initially began in 2019. However, the renewed interest has turned what was once whispered speculation into a full-blown “Katespiracy,” a term coined by the internet to describe the mystery surrounding the Princess’s whereabouts and the alleged royal affair.

As a result of speculative claims reaching fever pitch, the official explanation for the Duchess’s absence—a recovery period following abdominal surgery—has done little to quell the tide of gossip and conjecture.

Amid this frenzy, social media platforms have become arenas for debate, with users vehemently expressing their opinions on the affair allegations and Lady Sarah’s response. Comments range from calls for Prince William to address the rumors directly—“Prince William needs to come clean 🙏✅”—to outright dismissal of the rumor as unfounded and harmful.

“This is getting serious,” one person said, while another asserted, “That means they’re true!” Someone else pondered, “Did William cheat on Kate?”

However, among the clamor of voices, some stand in defense of the royal couple’s marriage. “Kate is injured. I’m sure you can read between the lines!!” contrasted sharply with supportive statements like, “He married the Princess of Wales, would you all think the Prince of Wales will look elsewhere? They have 3 beautiful, amazing [and] smart children 😍😍.”

Another fan referenced the past tumultuous marriage of Prince William’s parents, King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, as a deterrent against claims of infidelity. They expressed, “I don’t believe any of it. William wouldn’t do that after seeing what happened to his mum; he wouldn’t want the same for his wife and family. I don’t know how you get [away] with all these […] lies.”

This latest chapter in the ongoing saga of royal rumors underscores not only the voracious public appetite for details of the lives of the British royal family but also the complex relationship between public figures and the media. As Lady Sarah’s affair denial makes headlines, it attempts to draw a definitive conclusion to rumors that have long cast a shadow over two households closely linked by proximity and aristocratic ties.

As previously reported on March 14:

While Kate Middleton is absent from the public eye, recovering from her abdominal surgery, Prince William is suspected of having an affair. As rumors spread across the world, royal fans are delving into the persona of the alleged mistress.

Aristocrats know her as Lady Rose Hanbury. She is the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. She has long been linked to the British Royal Family. This is through her well-heeled family and their prestigious place in British high society. She is married to David Cholmondeley, the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley. The couple raise three children together at their residence.

Prince William’s and Rose Hanbury’s families have been friends for a long time. But their friendship is under scrutiny by the public after a recent picture was released. In the photo, Prince William was riding in a car with a woman, allegedly his wife, Kate Middleton, by his side.

However, royal fans think otherwise. After being deceived by the picture of Kate Middleton and her children released on Mother’s Day, fans no longer trust so easily. Some people believe that the woman in the car next to Prince William is none other than Rose Hanbury.

First, her head is suspiciously turned away from the cameras, a thing that Princess Catherine never did. The Princess of Wales has always been brave enough to face the cameras. She did so even after waiting ten years for William to propose. Apart from hiding away, the woman is also staring at the brick wall, which fans have disputed.

“That is not Kate Middleton in the car; Kate has never shied away from cameras. Even when she waited ten years for Willy to propose, that is Rose Hanbury, William’s mistress,” commented a user.

“Sorry to go all tinfoil hat, but I don’t think that’s Kate Middleton. I think that’s Rose Hanbury in the car with William because why can’t we see her face? You’re really telling me the paparazzi didn’t run around the car to get a shot of her face?” another chimed in.

While some believe it is Rose Hanbury’s face, others speculate it is a photoshop of Kate Middleton, a profile from another picture. Fans use evidence to say the picture is fake. They reference Kate Middleton’s picture from the 2016 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. She wore a black pillbox hat.

However, Goff Photos — the agency that captured William and Kate in the Range Rover — addressed the rumors. They assured the public that the pics “have been cropped and lightened” but “nothing has been doctored.” The speculations spread so far that even Stephen Colbert addressed the situation. In his latest comedy sketch on national American TV, he talked about the alleged affair.

“Now there have been rumors of an affair between William and the Marching Band of Chicanery since 2019,” the host started off. “According to tabloids back then, when Kate supposedly confronted him about it, he laughed it off saying there was nothing to it. Always a good response when your wife accuses you of cheating,” he said sarcastically.

For people who do not follow the Royal Family closely, Rose Hanbury might seem a new persona on the royal stage. However, the woman has been around William and Kate for a long time.

In June 2016, their families attended a gala dinner to support East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices at Houghton Hall. Then, they were already close, considering how friendly they looked in the photos. Dressed in beautiful gowns, Kate and Rose greeted each other fondly, while their husbands shook hands.

Despite the niceties, fans found one of the pictures taken at the event quite controversial. “These pictures say a thousand words. Prince William, Rose Hanbury, and Kate all in one picture. I can already read the room here. A lot has been going on,” commented a user. “This picture is always my favorite peek into the drama,” another agreed.

It was not the last time their families were seen together. In 2020, she and her husband were invited to celebrate Kate’s 38th birthday. The party was only for some of their closest friends at their country home at Anmer Hall in Norfolk. David and Rose, the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley also attended the party.

They are close friends. Rose Hanbury and her family live in the residence only three miles from Anmer Hall. Anmer Hall is home to the Prince and Princess of Wales. Lady Rose Cholmondeley resides with her husband and kids at Houghton Hall in Norfolk.

The couple welcomed twin sons in October 2009. Their names are Alexander Hugh George Cholmondeley and Lord Oliver Timothy George Cholmondeley. Later, in 2016, their daughter, Lady Iris Marina Aline Cholmondeley, was born.

Today, swirling rumors allege that Prince William had an affair. The spotlight has turned to Rose Hanbury. She finds herself at the center of speculation. Despite the rumors, Rose Hanbury is a wife and mother. She is also an aristocrat in Royal social circles.

As speculation continues, Rose’s presence in royal circles and gatherings would invite further scrutiny. It doesn’t help that not so long ago Prince William was seen without his wedding ring in public, causing a wave of reaction.

As previously reported on March 12:

Prince William was seen beside his stepmother, Queen Camilla, engaging warmly with attendees through handshakes and smiles. Photos from the event were posted on the royal social media accounts.

However, amidst the regal splendor and ceremonious greetings, eagle-eyed observers on social media noted something amiss. William was without his wedding ring.

This observation quickly spiraled into a hot topic, with comments flooding the royal family’s social media post. Concerns and curiosity were voiced openly, as one commenter asked, “..is he wearing a wedding ring? Bc I do not see one,” while another stated, “William without his wedding ring.”

However, Prince William is not the only one who has been seen without his ring.

In a recent heartwarming family photo shared to the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Instagram account after the Princess’s abdominal surgery, royal enthusiasts quickly noticed an unusual detail. The candid snapshot, which featured Princess Catherine surrounded by her three children, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, and Prince George, caught the attention of many with their radiant smiles.

Captured in an idyllic outdoor setting, the photo depicts a moment of familial bliss, with Prince Louis standing to his mother’s right, Princess Charlotte perched on the chair’s arm next to her, and Prince George lovingly hugging her from behind. However, the absence of Princess Catherine’s iconic rings sparked a flurry of concern and speculation among followers.

Social media users—ever attentive to detail—voiced their observations and worries in the comment section of the Instagram post. “Where’s your ring Kate??? 💍👀👀”, one user questioned, while another speculated, “This photo was taken before Kate went missing and Kate looks like a single mom with no wedding ring in skinny jeans. It is forbidden to wear tight clothes after abdominal surgery.”

Someone else added, “It is strange that she is not wearing her wedding ring […] it is either an old photo that wasn’t taken to release for this purpose or something [is] up with their marriage.” The concern was palpable, with another noting, “A beautiful photo but oddly she is not wearing her wedding rings.”

After forgetting to wear their rings, the couple has been seen together for the first time in a while, photographed in the car. As the picture was released, fans began their speculation.

After her first public outing since her surgery in January, fans of the royal family noticed a new dynamic between Princess Catherine and her husband, Prince William. Some observers viewed their public outing as a positive sign, indicative of happiness and unity within their relationship.

Yet, the sighting also revived uneasy comparisons to a tumultuous period in royal history, with one fan commenting it was “reminiscent of Charles and Di at the end.” Others voiced concern, suggesting “Will is mad with her!” and that it “reminds me of the pictures of his parents during their last year together,” with the prevailing sentiment being that they appeared “so unhappy.”

Amidst these observations, a notable portion of fans detected an undercurrent of “tension” between the royal couple. Skepticism about the state of their union was evident, with comments suggesting that Kate and William might not be on “good terms.” One particularly somber prediction from a fan was that “the wheels could be falling off this marriage,” a reflection on the unique pressures faced by those living a life of royal duty.

In a whirlwind of rumors surrounding Prince William’s alleged affair and the spotlight on Rose Hanbury, royal fans are in a frenzy of speculation. Despite attempts to keep things normal, both Prince William and Princess Catherine are under intense public scrutiny after being spotted without their wedding rings.

Every move and photo is being analyzed, with people comparing them to past royal dramas. The state of their marriage is now a hot topic, with some seeing signs of unity, while others suspect trouble brewing. The fascination with the British Royal Family remains strong, showing the world’s enduring interest in the highs and lows of royal life.