In British royalty, whispers and theories often follow closely behind every public appearance. Recently, these rumors swirled around the absence of Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, sparking speculation and ultimately leading to a legal notice being sent to a late-night talk show host in the United States.

Rekindled Rumors and Public Absence

In January 2024, Kate Middleton underwent a planned surgery, causing her to step back from public engagements. This period of absence, while expected, fueled online theories about the reason behind it. Some internet sleuths, as they’re called, began to speculate that Kate’s reduced visibility might be connected to Prince William, her husband and heir to the British throne.

Stephen Colbert’s Jokes Spark Legal Action

Capitalizing on this online chatter, Stephen Colbert, the host of the popular “Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” made jokes about the situation during his March 12th episode. He mentioned Kate’s absence and then linked it to an unsubstantiated rumor from 2019, suggesting an affair between Prince William and Lady Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley.

Taking Offense: Legal Notice Sent

Lady Rose Hanbury has long denied these rumors, and it appears her patience has worn thin. In response to Colbert’s jokes, her lawyers sent a legal notice to CBS, the network that broadcasts the Late Show, as well as to “various other reputable media organizations.” The purpose of the notice, according to a statement from Hanbury’s lawyers to In Touch Weekly, is “to confirm that the allegation is false.”

The statement further clarifies that the resurgence of the rumor is likely a direct result of Colbert’s remarks on his show.

Nature of the Legal Notice

The details of the legal notice itself haven’t been made public. Legal notices can serve various purposes, such as demanding a retraction of false statements or requesting that a media outlet stop publishing a particular story.

Uncertain Response from Colbert and CBS

Neither Stephen Colbert nor CBS has publicly commented on the legal notice from Lady Rose Hanbury’s lawyers. It remains to be seen how they will respond to this development.

Impact on the Royal Family

The situation has the potential to cause some embarrassment for the British Royal Family. While they typically don’t comment on tabloid rumors, the public nature of Colbert’s jokes and the subsequent legal action could reignite public interest in this unsubstantiated story.

The situation surrounding Lady Rose Hanbury, Stephen Colbert, and the British Royal Family is ongoing. It’s unclear if this legal notice will lead to further action, a public apology, or simply fade away. Regardless, it serves as a reminder of the intense scrutiny that surrounds the lives of public figures, even unsubstantiated rumors can have lasting consequences.