This article has been updated since its initial publish date.
For years, cheating rumors have been swirling around Prince William and Kate Middleton‘s relationship. Now, just weeks after King Charles‘ historic coronation took place, fans on social media are revisiting these rumors that allege that the Prince of Wales was unfaithful to Princess Kate during their 12-year marriage.
It’s said that the future king had a scandalous affair with his wife’s friend, Rose Hanbury, several years back, that he has consistently had his “sexual needs fulfilled elsewhere,” and more. On Twitter, TikTok and elsewhere on social media, William is often referred to as a “cheater” or a “cover-up,” with many still continuing to share these rumors and theories as to why they believe them.
We’ll break down supposed insider tips, quotes from alleged royal-affiliated sources and more, starting with new source insight that claims that Princess Kate was upset that Hanbury was invited to—and attended— her father-in-law’s May 6th coronation.
What affair? Prince William and Princess Catherine show off rare personal photo to celebrate 12 year wedding anniversary! https://t.co/XRc32Iqzlm
— Perez Hilton (@PerezHilton) May 1, 2023
Princess Kate Reportedly Upset With Rose Hanbury’s Coronation Appearance
According to an insider who allegedly told RadarOnline per MSN, while Kate has “mastered the art of being composed when the cameras are rolling,” she was very upset that Hanbury “was present for such a historic moment,” the official and highly viewed crowning of King Charles.
As reported by Life & Style magazine per MSN, another source dished to the outlet, “You could feel the awkwardness between the two women, even though there were 2,000 other people inside Westminster Abbey. Kate couldn’t even look Rose in the eye. Rose was her BFF, and she almost tore Kate and William’s marriage apart.”
#Coronation Here’s Rose Hanbury, in the family and diplomat section!Her son, Lord Oliver, is the page right behind the King! pic.twitter.com/0wKc7kQzVT
— Cybersnooze (@Cybersnooze11) May 6, 2023
They added, “William had to calm her down when she found out that Rose was invited to the coronation. He reminded her the cheating scandal was behind them and they’ve come so far since then.”
The palace has denied any cheating rumors, and they started to resurface once again, following news that Hanbury’s son Lord Oliver was invited to be a page of honor at Charles’ coronation along with the Waleses’ eldest son, Prince George.
#latestnews Rose Hanbury, Once Dubbed Kate Middleton’s “Rural Rival,” Was at King Charles III’s Coronation – https://t.co/RUYD6SMmt5 You might have missed her, but the photos don’t lie. pic.twitter.com/Idft0Ly74c
— Clicky Sound (@ClickySound) May 7, 2023
The Royal Rumor Mill: Did William Really Cheat On Kate?
Rumors of William allegedly cheating on Kate (who was reportedly pregnant with their third child, their now three-year-old son, Prince Louis at the time) are nothing new.
These claims that he engaged in an affair with Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley (who was actually once a close friend of Kate’s) first started circulating in April 2019 when they were published by InTouch. They were then re-published shortly after by some British tabloids.
@cristinanainglaterra Prince William’s alleged affair with Rose Hanbury resurfaces online#princewilliam #katemiddleton #royalfamily #royals #fyp #katemiddletonstyle ♬ Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono – moshimo sound design
The Duke of Cambridge immediately responded by taking legal action against the British publications who printed the “false and highly damaging” allegations, and threatened to do the same to any other publication that printed them.
Last year, these rumors resurfaced yet again after the popular celebrity gossip Instagram account Deuxmoi shared an anonymous (and unverified) report (so take this with a grain of salt) from one of its 1.5 million followers.
William Accused Of Having An Affair Due To His Love Of 'Pegging'
The July 2022 report offered a “salacious” tale about a “British royal’s extramarital affair” that the writer claimed was an “open secret in London and amongst the English aristo set.” The reported source added, “At a recent media party, I was told the real reason for the affair was the royal’s love for pegging, which the wife is too old-fashioned to engage in.”
The alleged insider then apparently noted that “the wife doesn’t mind her [the affair partner] and in fact prefers her husband getting his sexual needs fulfilled elsewhere, as long as they don’t become emotional, which was the case with the last woman.” That last bit, fans on Twitter and elsewhere seemed to think, referred to Hanbury (who The Sun reported in 2019 had a "falling out" with Kate amid William's cheating rumors).
Did William & Kate Use The Sussexes As A 'Distraction' From The Rumor?
Some users recently tweeted that they think the Cambridges use Meghan Markle and Prince Harry as a "distraction" every time one of William's "cheating scandals" comes around.
One tweeted, “I don’t care if Prince William indulges in extramarital affairs. I don’t care if he likes a bit of pegging. I do care though that he and his wife used Meghan as a distraction from their lives being talked about.”
Others expressed that they "fully don't believe" the "ridiculous" report or "any others regarding an affair." With hashtags like #PrinceWilliamAffair” and “#PrinceofPegging” popping up on Twitter every so often, others continue to find this report to be "amusing" and "hilarious," even if it is "most likely not true," as another wrote.
Comedian Richard Jeter garnered many likes and replies last summer with his tweet on the matter, as he wrote, “Man, the next season of The Windsors is going to be lit, and The Crown’s gonna have to clock in an NC-17 series.” As another user wrote shortly after, clearly no one, "regardless of how famous, royal," or "protected," is fully safe from the "most insane" rumors on Twitter.
