In a noteworthy royal encounter, Queen Camilla recently met with Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley, during the final day of the 2024 Badminton Horse Trials. The meeting, which took place earlier this week, has sparked attention due to the ongoing rumors surrounding Rose’s alleged affair with Prince William, which have made headlines in recent years.
Rose, who is married to David Cholmondeley, the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, has long denied these rumors, but the speculation surrounding her relationship with Prince William continues to linger in the media. The sighting of Camilla and Rose together—both smiling and conversing—has only added fuel to the fire, prompting some to scrutinize the nature of their relationship in the context of the ongoing affair rumors.
Rose Hanbury is no stranger to the royal family, with a deep-rooted history stretching back generations. Her grandmother served as a bridesmaid at Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding, and her own son was one of the Pages of Honour at King Charles III’s coronation in 2023.
Despite her long-standing ties to the British aristocracy, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley’s public persona has been somewhat overshadowed by her association with Prince William in recent years, following rumors about an affair between the two.
In 2019, rumors began circulating about a possible relationship between Rose and Prince William, causing speculation and public intrigue. The story was fueled by an alleged argument between Rose and Kate Middleton, who were once neighbors.
However, Kensington Palace has never publicly addressed the rumors, and many royal experts, including Omid Scobie, have dismissed them as unfounded.
Despite this, the rumors have persisted, and they were reignited in 2023 following Kate Middleton’s health struggles. In March of the same year, Rose finally addressed the speculation, issuing a statement through her lawyers to Business Insider.
Her legal team firmly denied the rumors, labeling them as “completely false.” This statement came amid Kate’s announcement that she had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer, which forced her to take a break from public engagements.
As the wife of King Charles III, Queen Camilla has consistently remained a central figure in the royal family. Her role has not been without its challenges, especially considering the controversial nature of her relationship with King Charles prior to their marriage.
Despite this, she has embraced her duties as queen consort, participating in royal engagements and public appearances.
Camilla’s meeting with Rose Hanbury, while seemingly casual, could carry deeper implications in the context of the royal family’s ongoing media landscape. Some observers have noted that the presence of both women at the Badminton Horse Trials was a way to present a united front amid the swirling rumors.
Both women wore matching blue attire—Camilla in a dress and Rose in a blazer—further emphasizing the harmonious nature of their interaction.
It’s worth noting that makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury was also present during the event, wearing a floral dress. The presence of Tilbury, a well-known figure in the beauty world, added an additional layer of intrigue to the encounter.
As with many royal appearances, public events are often carefully orchestrated, and the meeting between Camilla and Rose may have been an opportunity for the two women to showcase a relationship of mutual respect despite the ongoing media speculation.
Rose’s presence at the Badminton Horse Trials was not the only recent royal event in which she was involved. Just a few days later, she attended a service of dedication for the Order of The British Empire, where King Charles III and Camilla were also present.
However, this time, the two women did not interact publicly, and no photographs were taken of them together. This lack of public interaction suggests that while the media may be eager to create drama, the royal family is focused on maintaining a dignified and unified front in the face of personal and public challenges.
As for Camilla, her role as queen consort has been under intense scrutiny. Her personal connection with Rose and the media's focus on her stepson Prince William has added complexity to her royal duties.
The public has been watching closely for any signs of tension or discomfort within the royal family, and the speculation surrounding Rose Hanbury’s relationship with Prince William has only heightened these expectations.
While rumors and gossip are a persistent feature of royal life, the British royal family has a long history of navigating public speculation with a degree of discretion and resilience. Camilla and Rose’s interactions, whether carefully planned or spontaneous, highlight the monarchy’s commitment to projecting stability despite external pressures.
For Rose, the past few years have been a challenge, with the affair rumors casting a shadow over her personal life. However, her continued involvement in royal events, such as the coronation and the recent public appearance with Camilla, suggests that she has maintained her place within the royal circles.
As for Queen Camilla, her presence at these events and her interactions with key figures like Rose Hanbury signal her continued commitment to her royal duties, even amidst the media frenzy. Whether or not the rumors surrounding Rose and Prince William will ever be fully dispelled remains uncertain, but the royal family’s collective response to such speculation will likely determine how the public continues to view them.
Queen Camilla and Rose Hanbury’s meeting at the Badminton Horse Trials serves as a reminder of the complexity and intricacies of royal life. With rumors and speculation continuing to swirl, the women’s public appearances together provide an opportunity for the royal family to manage the narrative. The future of their relationship, and the ongoing saga surrounding Prince William, will undoubtedly remain a point of discussion for years to come.
