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19th March 2024
10:44am GMT
Lady Hanbury has been the focus of conspiracy theories online in recent days, with some suggesting she was being 'soft-launched' as a new member of the royal family to coincide with Kate Middleton's disappearance from the public eye.
This came after long-standing but unsubstantiated rumours that Hanbury had previously had an affair with the Prince of Wales.
US talk show host Stephen Colbert even made the rumours the subject of his show-opening monologue over the week.
He told viewers: “The kingdom has been all a flutter by 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.
“So, I think we all know who the alleged other woman is. Say it with me –– the Marchioness of Cholmondeley –– what a beautiful name!”
You can watch the full monologue below.
Lady Hanbury has since responded to the rumours.
In a statement made to Business Insider via her lawyers, she said rumours of an affair with Prince William "are completely false."
Internet sleuths have been speculating about Kate Middleton's whereabouts in recent weeks following her abdominal surgery in January.
No pictures had been released of the Princess of Wales until earlier this month when the family shared a picture of her and her children to celebrate Mother's Day.
This did little to quell suspicion and rumours though when Kate admitted to having edited the picture, which was pulled by a number of major picture agencies as a result.
Speculation continues to swirl online about Kate’s recovery, but there were reports on Monday that the royal had been spotted at a farm shop in Kensington alongside her husband, Prince William.
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