Rose Hanbury Addresses Prince William Affair Rumors Amid Kate Middleton's Alleged Disappearance

Rose Hanbury has shut down the rumors romantically linking her to Prince William.

For years, rumors alleged that Hanbury and the future king had an affair. The Marchioness of Cholmondeley broke her silence on the allegation by denying it.

Hanbury's lawyers said the rumors "are completely false," according to Business Insider. Just recently, the infidelity rumors resurfaced amid netizens' fears that Kate Middleton had been missing.

Kensington Palace announced in January that the Princess of Wales had abdominal surgery. Middleton hadn't been seen in two months, and many were concerned about her whereabouts. Her absence sparked various speculations about her health and marriage.

The Palace released her first official photo on March 10 to mark Mother's Day in the United Kingdom. However, it received a "kill notice" from the Associated Press and other agencies because the shot was reportedly "manipulated," to which Middleton admitted and apologized. The incident fueled rumors about the marital strife that even Stephen Colbert talked about it on his show.

"As we were talking about this show yesterday, the kingdom has been all fluttered by the seeming disappearance of Kate Middleton. Well now, internet sleuths are guessing that Kate's absence may be related to her husband's and the future king of England, William, having an affair," Colbert said.

He jokingly told the audience that he would spill the tea as someone appeared on the screen and delivered him a cup of tea. He then named Prince William's rumored mistress.

"So, I think we all know who the alleged other woman is -- say it with me -- The Marchioness of Cholmondeley ... now, there have been rumors of an affair between William and [Hanbury] since 2019," he said.

"According to tabloids back then, when Kate supposedly confronted him about it, he laughed it off, saying there was nothing to it. 'Haha,' always a good response when your wife accuses you of cheating."

Prince William had already denied the affair rumor. His lawyers reportedly served legal warnings to at least one British publication that published details of the alleged tryst.

"In addition to being false and highly damaging, the publication of false speculation in respect of our client's private life also constitutes a breach of his privacy," one of the letters from the law firm Harbottle and Lewis, representing Prince William, read, per The Daily Beast.