Her poised grace, her three children, and a Valentine’s Day tale that sparked chatter. Reports suggest a dinner where Prince William gave a pearl necklace to a close confidante rather than Kate Middleton. The woman in question is Rose Hanbury, one of the queen’s long-standing acquaintances, who has been linked to the tabloids as a royal confidant and rival in certain circles. Rumors about a potential liaison with the heir apparent have circulated since 2019, with the press occasionally labeling Hanbury a “rural rival” due to her proximity to Anmer Hall in Norfolk, the residence associated with the royal family. William and Kate were neighbors to Rose Hanbury and her husband, David Rocksavage, the seventh Marquess of Cholmondeley, who is part of one of Britain’s oldest noble lineages and widely known for immense wealth. The family’s Houghton Hall estate has long welcomed visitors and stood as a symbol of enduring aristocratic presence in the countryside.
The English press has repeatedly speculated about the nature of the relationship between Rose Hanbury and Prince William. Kate Middleton, who was pregnant with her third child at one point, reportedly chose to distance herself from any rumored affairs. In the summer of 2022, the royal couple reportedly relocated to Adelaide Cottage, a residence more than two hundred kilometers from the Cholmondeley lands, marking a shift in household arrangements amid ongoing public interest.
aristocratic family
Before her marriage, Rose Hanbury belonged to a prominent English aristocratic clan. Her grandmother, Lady Elizabeth Longman, a descendant of the Earl of Cavan, was once a companion to Queen Elizabeth II and served in the royal circle. Another grandparent connection ties her to Tim Birkin, a celebrated racer who achieved fame in endurance events. Hanbury’s striking appearance and model beginnings with Storm Models, the agency that helped launch the career of a generation of British models, including Kate Moss. She studied history and has been associated with conservative political circles. An elder sister, Marina, and other relatives have been part of widely reported public appearances, which at times fed rumors about private affairs and social alignment within the upper echelons of Britain’s old-line families.
Her path intersected with David Rocksavage, whom she wed at the age of 25. The couple welcomed a twin sons, Alexander and Oliver, who grew up alongside the Prince of Wales’s eldest sons as playmates. A daughter, Lady Iris, joined the family nearly seven years ago, further expanding the lineage blessed with both tradition and influence in British society.
Several years later, a widely circulated photo from a private evening out reignited speculation. The image, later described in tabloid media as an affectionate moment with a royal, fed a narrative that still reverberates in conversations about court life. In the wake of the coronation of Charles III, coverage shifted focus again, and many articles paused their coverage on the matter, leaving a lingering sense of unresolved questions within the public discourse. Citations: general royal press coverage and biographical timelines about the Cholmondeley family and related circles.