Stephen Colbert, the host of “The Late Show,” humorously addressed rumors surrounding Prince William’s alleged affair with Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. This comes amid speculation about Kate Middleton’s secret surgery and her extended absence from the public eye.

Colbert referenced an old rumor from 2019 during his show on Tuesday, March 12, hinting at an affair between Prince William and Rose Hanbury. He stated that the internet is rife with speculation that Kate’s absence may be tied to rumors about her husband’s alleged affair.

He also made light of the pronunciation of the name Cholmondeley, which is pronounced “Chumley,” turning it into a running joke on his show.

Speculation about Middleton’s absence, which began in December, has been attributed to a secret surgery. This, coupled with Colbert’s comments, has revitalized the rumors, leading to extensive media coverage and online debate.

Adding to the mystery is a family portrait of Catherine, Princess of Wales, and her three children, shared by Kensington Palace on UK’s Mother’s Day. Following its release, major news outlets withdrew the photo upon realizing that it may have been edited. Notably, inconsistencies were found in Princess Charlotte’s hand positioning and the overall look of the photo, suggesting digital alteration.

Photography experts have scrutinized the contentious photo, identifying indicators of manipulation such as misaligned sleeves and blurred areas. This has only fueled further speculation about the monarchy’s transparency, with some suggesting that it supports rumors about the state of William and Kate’s marriage.

Notably, the Princess of Wales, aged 42, was not seen wearing her signature diamond and sapphire engagement ring in the photo, sparking concerns about her marriage.

Kate Middleton addressed the photo controversy on X (formerly Twitter), acknowledging her occasional use of editing and apologizing for any resulting confusion. However, Kensington Palace has not released the original, unaltered photo.

The rumors about Prince William’s affair with Hanbury, a close neighbor and a member of the royal couple’s social circle, first surfaced in 2019. Neither the royal couple nor Hanbury has commented on the allegations. William’s lawyer has denied the rumors, describing them as “false and damaging.”

Hanbury, a former researcher and model, is married to David Rocksavage, the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, and they have three children. The couple lives near the royal family’s country estate and has attended many royal events, indicating their close relationship with the royal family.

The resurgence of these rumors and the photo controversy has reignited public interest and speculation about the internal dynamics of the British royal family.

Omid Scobie, a royal author, has discussed the persistent nature of such rumors in his book “Endgame.” In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Scobie acknowledged the potential damage to Prince William’s reputation and the ease with which rumors can spread unchecked.

The allegations of an affair and the photo editing controversy highlight the ongoing challenges the British royal family faces in managing its public image and privacy in the digital era.