Rose Hanbury Threatens Legal Action Over Stephen Colbert's Affair Comments

Stephen Colbert, Rose Hanbury

Stephen Colbert could face legal action following remarks he made at the expense of Lady Rose Hanbury during a recent episode of The Late Show.

Hanbury, whose official title is the Marchioness of Cholmondeley, found herself at the center of controversy after "#KateGate" conspiracy theories that suggested the Princess of Wales had gone "missing" following her hospitalization in mid-January took off.

Some of the unfounded claims proposed Hanbury, 40, had an affair with Prince William, and that's why the princess has been away from the public eye for so long–commentary Colbert, 59, repeated on-air during an episode of his late night talk show which initially aired last week.

"Internet sleuths are guessing that Kate's absence may be related to her husband and  future King William having an affair," Colbert said before boldly "spilling the tea" on the other woman.

"I think we all know who the alleged other woman is," he said. "Say it with me, 'the Marchioness of Cholmondeley.'"

Colbert went on, pointing out that rumors of Hanbury's alleged affair with the future king have been around for years, but have spiked with all the drama currently surrounding the royals.

“Now, there have been rumors [of] an affair between William and the Marching Band of Chicanery since 2019,” he said, making fun of her name and title. “According to tabloids back then, when Kate supposedly confronted him about it, he laughed it off saying there was nothing to it. Always a good response when your wife accuses you of cheating."

“Ha ha, imagine me having an affair!" he continued, adding in a fake British accent. "It is to laugh."

In Touch has since confirmed that Hanbury’s lawyers sent a legal notice to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert following the comments made by the host.

In a statement shared with the outlet, Hanbury's legal team said: “The rumor appears to have entered into the mainstream media recently as a result of another joke made about it on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. We have written on our client’s behalf to CBS and various other reputable media organisations to confirm that the allegation is false.”

Hanbury, who is also married, vehemently denied the allegations in a March 16 piece for Business Insider.

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