Two months after their reported feud first went public, the Duchess of Cambridge and her so-called “rural rival” Rose Hanbury’s paths have once again crossed.
The former friends were both in attendance at the State Banquet held by Queen Elizabeth II to honour President Donald Trump’s state visit to Britain.
But after barely acknowledging each other, they did little to dispel rumours of a falling out.
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Now, New Idea has learnt exclusively that Kate Middleton was so rattled by the Marchioness of Cholmondeley’s presence at the glittering event at Buckingham Palace that she nearly fled in tears.
“Kate demanded she speak to the Queen’s top aide and said that she wanted to be assured she was sat on the opposite side of the room to Rose, which Queen Elizabeth approved at the last minute knowing how catastrophic it would be if Kate pulled out,” explains the Royal insider.
Due to his position as 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley and Lord Great Chamberlain, Rose’s husband David Rocksavage is often required to attend significant royal events in London such as this one.While David and his wife were once close friends of the Cambridges – the couples are Norfolk neighbours with the Cholmondeleys living just minutes from the Cambridge country bolthole of Anmer Hall; their children were also playmates of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – in March, The Sun newspaper revealed they’d had a major falling out with William and Kate.
While David and his wife were once close friends of the Cambridges – the couples are Norfolk neighbours with the Cholmondeleys living just minutes from the Cambridge country bolthole of Anmer Hall; their children were also playmates of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – in March, The Sun newspaper revealed they’d had a major falling out with William and Kate.
Kate apparently instructed William to phase the couple out of their social circle after viewing Rose as her “rural rival”.
While no explanation was given for the friendship breaking down, The Daily Mail newspaper then ran a piece about how the couples had considered legal action.
Subsequent reports, suggesting Prince William and Rose had had an affair last year – which was untrue – later explained the strong reaction.
Considering the gossip surrounding the couples, it’s not surprising that Kate was determined to keep the Duke of Cambridge close by at the event.
“During their car journey, Kate told William he wasn’t allowed to even make eye contact with Rose, let alone greet her or strike up conversation with her.
“Kate ensured her assistant had one eye on Rose the entire time to ensure she never got too close and she was distracted the entire evening, which was very clear for everyone to see.”
With a potentially embarrassing situation threatening to derail the high profile event, arrangements were swiftly made to keep Rose and Kate apart, too.
Following Kate’s request, the pair were seated on either ends of the room to ensure there was no awkward interaction.
But with Kate on edge and William forced to address Rose’s husband at one point, the evening became increasingly strained.
“The tension in the room overtook the entire evening – with Trump even making a remark about the awkward atmosphere, which Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall tried to make light of by making an inappropriate quip about Kate throwing her toys out the pram over a ‘silly squabble’ – causing Kate to flee in floods of tears.”
Now the upset at Kensington Palace is threatening to spill over into other parts of the British royal family.
Already reportedly at loggerheads with her sister-in-law Meghan Markle, Kate has learnt Prince Harry‘s wife recently struck up a close friendship with Rose Hanbury.
“Kate knew that the Duchess of Sussex had an ulterior motive and was simply cosying up to Rose to form an alliance with her, which Kate has been paranoid about ever since,” notes the insider.
“She’s been left so shaken and upset by the drama with Rose and doesn’t know who to trust.”
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