Prince William and Kate Middleton: Exploring Their Previous Royal Relationships

When it comes to royal relationships, the world’s eyes are often fixed on the British royal family. Prince William and Kate Middleton’s love story has been nothing short of a fairy tale. But before they found each other, both Prince William and Kate had their share of previous relationships and romantic rumors. In this article, we will delve into the intriguing world of their past romances, official relationships, and the infamous rumors surrounding Prince William’s close pal, Rose Hanbury.

Table of Contents

Official Relationships

Prince William’s Early Flings

Before Kate Middleton entered his life, Prince William was no stranger to the dating scene. In his teenage years, he was linked to a few young women from prominent families. These early relationships were often short-lived and not as serious as the one he eventually found with Kate.

Prince William’s dating history and the accompanying rumors have always been a subject of public interest due to his status as the future King of England. Here’s a glimpse into his pre-Kate Middleton dating history, along with some notable rumors:

Jecca Craig: One of Prince William’s early rumored relationships was with Jecca Craig. They were close friends and spent a lot of time together during his gap year in Kenya. While their relationship was never officially confirmed, their friendship remained strong.
Davina Duckworth-Chad: Prince William’s name was linked with Davina Duckworth-Chad, a family friend from a prominent aristocratic family. However, their relationship, if it existed, was kept low-key and never confirmed.
Carly Massy-Birch: Prince William was romantically linked to Carly Massy-Birch during his university years. They were spotted together on several occasions, but the relationship didn’t escalate to a serious level.
Isabella Calthorpe: Perhaps one of the most talked-about pre-Kate relationships was Prince William’s alleged interest in Isabella Calthorpe, an actress and socialite. Rumors circulated that he pursued her while on a break from Kate Middleton, which caused a stir in the media.
Rose Hanbury: Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley, has been a close friend of Prince William and Kate Middleton. However, their friendship was marred by rumors of an alleged falling-out between Kate and Rose, which led to speculations about Prince William’s involvement. These rumors gained significant attention but were never substantiated.

Kate Middleton’s Pre-William Dating History

Kate Middleton, too, had her own share of relationships before becoming the Duchess of Cambridge. Her dating history, while relatively low-key, included a few notable names that sparked interest among royal watchers.

Kate Middleton’s dating history before her relationship with Prince William was relatively private and low-key, especially when compared to the intense media attention that followed their courtship. Here’s a closer look at her pre-William dating history:

Willem Marx: Before attending the University of St. Andrews, where she would eventually meet Prince William, Kate Middleton briefly dated Willem Marx. They were both students at the exclusive Marlborough College, and their relationship was relatively short-lived.
Rupert Finch: Kate’s relationship with Rupert Finch gained some attention. Finch was a close friend of Prince William and, at one point, an Eton College schoolmate. Their relationship was mostly during their university years and ended amicably.
Henry Ropner: Kate Middleton also briefly dated Henry Ropner during her university years. Ropner came from a wealthy family with shipping interests. However, this relationship was not as high-profile as her future one with Prince William.

The Royal Romance that Stood the Test of Time

Prince William and Kate Middleton’s Love Story

The love story of Prince William and Kate Middleton is a modern-day royal classic. They met at the University of St. Andrews, and their friendship blossomed into a deep romantic connection. But what made their relationship so special, and how did they navigate the pressures of being in the public eye?

Royal Relationship Rumors

The Rose Hanbury Scandal

One of the most significant royal relationship rumors to rock the British monarchy was the alleged falling-out between Prince William and his close friend Rose Hanbury. The whispers and speculations surrounding their relationship raised questions about the strength of William and Kate’s marriage. We’ll take a closer look at this controversial episode and its impact on the royal family.

Following their reunion at King Charles’ Coronation, many people who follow Royals news may be asking: Are Rose Hanbury and Kate Middleton still friends?

Middleton and Hanbury’s tension began in 2019 when inside sources claimed that Kate and the former model friend were feuding. At the time, people said the Duchess of Cambridge was attempting to phase Rose out of her friendship circle. Prince William’s role in all of it was simply a husband trying to get his wife to get along with a neighbor. (Rose and her husband, David, live in a neighboring estate to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s country manor, Amner Hall). It’s likely there was no feud to begin with and we’re all very aware of the press’ penchant for pitting women against each other. But even if there was, it definitely wasn’t because of an affair, because an affair never happened.

Several years ago, rumours of a big fallout between Kate and her former best friend, Rose, started circulating. Rumours started swirling that Kate was adamant on phasing Rose out of her social circle, while William was attempting to “play peacemaker” due to the two women sharing many mutual friends. In 2021, William and Kate conside taking legal action. Of course, since it’s not royal protocol to comment or denounce every rumour, we’ve relied on reports to tell us the rumours are fairly unfounded and the two royal ladies have no feud to speak of—they even both attended the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace in 2020, and are attened King Charles’ coronation

Rose Cholmondeley (née Hanbury) is the wife of David Cholmondeley (pronounced Chumley), 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley. A Marquess (and his wife, a Marchioness) holds the fourth most senior rank in the British nobility (behind King/Queen, Prince/Princess, and Duke/Duchess). The Cholmondeleys are particularly notable, however, as they are hereditary co-holders of the office of Lord Great Chamberlain.

To recap, one of Kate Middleton’s close friends, Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley—neatly dubbed her “rural rival,” as they both lived in Norfolk—was accused of having an affair with Prince William. Middleton and Hanbury then allegedly had a falling-out, which ended with Middleton having Hanbury and her husband ‘phased out’ of their friendship group.

“It’s not unusual to have a few hiccups in a marriage, especially after eight years, and Kate and William are no different. They’re still going strong. Regardless of their ups and downs, they love each other dearly and their kids are the most important thing in their lives

Other Romantic Speculations

Aside from the Rose Hanbury scandal, there have been other romantic speculations involving both Prince William and Kate Middleton. We’ll separate fact from fiction and examine how the royal couple has handled such rumors over the years.

Navigating the Royal Dating Scene

The Challenges of Dating in the Spotlight

Being part of the British royal family comes with its own set of challenges when it comes to dating. From constant media scrutiny to the expectations of the public, we’ll explore the unique difficulties that royal family members face in their quest for love.

The Importance of Compatibility

What qualities make a royal relationship work? We’ll discuss how compatibility, shared values, and a strong support system play a crucial role in the success of royal romances.

Conclusion

In the world of royal relationships, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s love story shines as an example of a strong and enduring partnership. While they both had their fair share of past romances and relationship rumors, their bond has stood the test of time and continues to captivate the world.

Whether you’re a dedicated follower of royal news or simply curious about the romantic lives of the British royal family, understanding the journey of Prince William and Kate Middleton provides valuable insights into the complexities of love, fame, and commitment within the monarchy.

Author: Mark Boardman is an experienced entertainment writer, and royal commentator featured in Daily Express, Newsweek, The Mirror, and a regular guest on BBC Radio. He is also a freelance journalist, reviewer, podcaster and founder of news site and PR agency MarkMeets Media.