In a surprising turn of events, Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley, has reportedly sent a legal notice to late-night host Stephen Colbert after he made on-air jokes about a rumored affair between Hanbury and Prince William. The quips drew attention to the ongoing speculation surrounding the whereabouts of William's wife, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales. This news comes prior to the recent revelation that Kate is currently battling cancer and undergoing treatment.

During the episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert that aired on March 12, Colbert addressed past rumors of an alleged affair between Prince William and Hanbury, who has been married since June 2009 and is a mother of three. Colbert remarked, "The kingdom has been all aflutter by the seeming disappearance of Kate Middleton. Well, now internet sleuths are guessing that Kate's absence may be related to her husband and the future king of England, William, having an affair. So I think we all know who the alleged other woman is. Say it with me: the Marchioness of Cholmondeley-what a beautiful name!"

In response to Colbert's comments, Hanbury's legal representatives confirmed that they have reached out to The Late Show and several other media organizations to refute the allegations. They stated, "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 organizations to confirm that the allegation is false."

It is worth noting that in mid-March, Hanbury addressed the rumors of an affair through a statement from her legal team, denying their veracity. However, the reports of a falling-out between Kate and Hanbury back in 2019 had already sparked speculation, although no social drama was ever verified.

Meanwhile, on the same day the legal notice was sent, Kate revealed through a video posted on Kensington Palace's official social media accounts that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy in its early stages. This shocking health update shifted the focus away from the rumors surrounding Hanbury and Prince William.

Amidst all the speculation about her personal life, Hanbury's home decor is also under scrutiny. Social media users have raised concerns about certain items spotted in photos of her estate, Houghton Hall, suggesting that they may be stolen Chinese artifacts, some of which were reportedly inherited by Hanbury's husband, David Rocksavage. These allegations have gained attention online, with Time magazine highlighting the controversy.

As of now, representatives for Hanbury and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert have not responded to requests for comment on this matter.

It remains to be seen how this legal threat will unfold and whether it will have any implications for Stephen Colbert and the ongoing rumors surrounding the Marchioness of Cholmondeley.