News update: Here’s Why Kate Middleton and Prince William Divorce Rumors Are Spreading and dusted off old Prince William affair rumors…see more

Another reason some people are convinced Kate and William are heading for divorce? Rose Hanbury

Old rumors (emphasis on rumors) about Prince William’s alleged affair with the Marchioness of Cholmondeley have been dusted off amid Kate’s absence from the spotlight—but, to be clear, there are no specific reasons these rumors are in circulation again. They’ve simply taken on a life of their own thanks to some UK publications writing (or possibly just updating) articles about Rose at the most side-eye-inducing moment possible.

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As Late Show host Stephen Colbert put it, “The Kingdom has been all a flutter about 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.”

Again, these are actually years-old rumors—and Stephen himself cited Cosmopolitan’s original deep dive on them. But TL;DR?

Tabloids reported a “falling-out” between Kate, William, and Rose in 2019.
Then In Touch claimed Wills and Rose may have had an affair.
Then the Daily Mail’s royal reporter Richard Kay claimed both sides were considering “legal action.”
THEN the rumors died out and everyone decided to ultimately say nothing.

Anyway, veracity aside, a former royal courtier tells the Daily Beast the rumors are “deeply annoying and unhelpful for the palace, but it’s not surprising that the affair rumors are being reheated. What else are people supposed to think when she sends out a photo not wearing her wedding ring?”

Meanwhile, Rose Hanbury’s lawyers tell Business Insider, “The rumours are completely false.”