Rose Hanbury and her husband, David Cholmondeley, 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, have found their relationship thrust into the spotlight all thanks to an unsubstantiated rumor accusing Hanbury of having an affair with Prince William.
In recent memory, Rose and David are perhaps best known for their involvement in a widespread rumor about Prince William’s alleged infidelity during his marriage to Kate Middleton. The speculation originated in a now-deleted article from The Sun which alleged that Rose and Kate had a falling out, prompting Kate to allegedly ask Prince William to have her “phased out” of their friend group. This was the catalyst for years of speculation that William and Rose had an affair, a claim Rose’s lawyers denied in March 2024.
However, Hanbury’s alleged involvement with the future king is actually not her family’s main tie to the royal family! Here is everything to know about Rose Hanbury’s husband and his relationship with Prince William, Kate Middleton and the royal family.
Who is Rose Hanbury’s husband, David Cholmondeley?
Hanbury’s husband is a Lord-in-Waiting to King Charles and comes from a long line family members with roles in the Royal Household. Born in 1960, David was titled Viscount Malpas at birth until he became the Earl of Rocksavage in 1968 and then the Marquess of Cholmondeley in 1990, a title he inherited following the death of his father. He is a descendant of Sir Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister of Britain.
Hanbury became the Marchioness of Cholmondeley after marrying David in 2009 but her ancestors have some royal connections too. Her fashion designer mother, Emma Hanbury, is the daughter of Lady Elizabeth Lambart, who served as a bridesmaid at Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s 1947 wedding.
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David Cholmondeley Is a Member of the Royal Household
Image Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images Born into the British upper class, David took over the role of Lord Great Chamberlain until the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The role involved carrying her crown at the State opening of Parliament. He was also a member of the House of Lords but never took his seat.
After the Queen’s death, David was appointed as a permanent Lord-in-Waiting to King Charles, meaning that he is a retired senior official of the Royal Household who may be called to represent the King at public events.
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He Is Also a Filmmaker
Image Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Before, and since, inheriting his official title from his father, David worked as a filmmaker under the name David Rocksavage, derived from his title of Earl of Rocksavage.
Like many members of the Royal Family, David was educated at Eton College before moving to Paris where he studied at the Sorbonne.
In 1995, he directed the film adaptation of Truman Capote’s novel Other Voices, Other Rooms. In 2009, he directed Jean Simmons and Jamie Dornan in Shadows in the Sun.
In a rare interview in 1997, he told the New York Times that his role as marquess is not where his interests lie.
“Being marquess wasn’t something I would have chosen for myself,” he said. “In fact, I was rather frightened when it happened. I still am. I haven’t got it all quite right yet.” He also claimed his alleged $195 million inheritance is not what it seems.
“It’s not what people think. A lot of the money people say I have is tied up in trusts or in artwork or in land. I’m a curator as much as anything, which is a side of things I do enjoy. Going to the country and looking after things. But there is a lot about it that I don’t like,” he said.
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He Married Rose Hanbury in 2009
Image Credit: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for The Serpentine Gallery According to a 2013 profile in Vanity Fair, David had reputation for partying and dating models in his 20s and 30s, moving in social circles that included Mick Jagger and photographer François-Marie Banier.
However, that changed when he met now-wife Rose while on vacation in Italy in 2003. Former model Rose, who is 23 years younger than David, was 19 at the time.
In June 2009, it was announced that the couple were engaged, the following day it was reveal that Rose was pregnant and the day after that the pair tied the knot at Chelsea Town Hall.
Per Vanity Fair, their union and age gap caused a lot of chatter in London at the time. David did give a very rare, and sweet, statement about living with Rose at his ancestral home to Vanity Fair, saying: “To do things together, with someone, rather than doing things here alone, as I was for many years, has been very exciting.”
“It’s very nice to have someone to make decisions with, especially someone who has such wonderful taste as Rose. We spark off each other. She has a younger eye and she loves the house. I’m so lucky.”
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David & Rose Share Three Children
Image Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images In October 2009, Rose gave birth to twin boys, sparking much debate over who would inherit the Cholmondeley title.
The couple eventually confirmed that, due to birth order, Alexander, who is known as Xan, has the courtesy title Earl of Rocksavage and will inherit the Marquess title after his father’s death. His brother is Lord Oliver.
“Both boys are being brought up with the name Cholmondeley. The elder is only heir to the title ‘Marquess of Cholmondeley,’ and to nothing else obligatorily,” David told Vanity Fair.
Their daughter, Lady Iris Marina Aline Cholmondeley, was born in 2016.
Oliver had a starring role alongside Prince George at the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in 2023, acting as one of the pages of honor.
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He Is Friends With Prince William & Kate Middleton
Image Credit: Stephen Pond/Getty Images David and Rose have had a long friendship with the future king and queen, before and since the affair rumors! Their Norfolk estate is just a short drive away from Kate and William’s country home, Anmer Hall, which is also near the royal family’s Sandringham Estate.
In 2016, the Cholmondeleys hosted Will and Kate, as pictured here, for a charity event.
Despite rumors of Kate and Rose’s and affair speculation, reports suggest a friendship has prevailed between the couples. “These hurtful rumors of a fallout are simply false,” Daily Mail reported in 2019. “William and David were in touch with each other over the weekend, not knowing whether to laugh or complain. Both wives are hurt by the suggestion that there is any argument or even a coolness between them.”
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David & Rose Attended a Festival With Kate in 2023
Image Credit: Stephen Pond/Getty Images In August 2023, the future queen reportedly partied with David and Rose at the annual Houghton Festival, a four-day electronic music festival hosted on the grounds of their estate.
Kate reportedly attended a dinner hosted at the couple’s home before being convinced to join festival-goers. “After dinner, one of the guests suggested that Catherine go to the festival. Catherine was nervous about the idea, but, after much discussion with her protection officers, she went with lots of security. William wasn’t there,” a source reported at the time.
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David Lives at Houghton Hall
Image Credit: Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images In 1990, at 30 years old, David inherited Houghton Hall from his father. His family lives in the 4,000-acre, 106-room estate but he also inherited an even larger, 7,500 acres estate in Cheshire, Cholmondeley Castle.
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