The British monarchy has been rocked by a series of events that have captured the attention of the press and the public.
News of the alleged infidelity of Prince William, 40, to Kate Middleton, 41, emerged like a torrent in the UK’s leading tabloids, making headlines and generating a flurry of commentary on social media.
The alleged relationship between William and Rose Hanbury, a former model, gained notoriety, especially considering it began when Kate was pregnant with their third child, Prince Louis.
Reports suggest that William spent Valentine’s Day at an intimate dinner with Rose at a posh London restaurant, which further fueled the rumors.
In 2019, certain images from a private party showed Prince William and Rose Hanbury in an attitude that many interpreted as overly affectionate.
From this point, speculation about infidelity intensified, and it was learned that contact between Kate and Hanbury had been completely cut off, avoiding any coincidence in public events after the publication of those images.
Denials and Controversy
Despite the censorship and rumors, authoritative voices within journalism, such as a royal chronicler from the Daily Mail, have called these allegations “fake news”.
According to this source, there is no concrete evidence to support the rumors, and although legal action was contemplated, the lack of evidence led to the decision to ignore the allegations.
The Monarchy in Transition
Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the British monarchy is in a period of transition.
While the coronation of Charles III marks a new chapter, the responsibility and weight of the crown falls largely on young Kate and William.
Any scandal affecting their image is handled with extreme care, controlled and even eliminated to preserve the stability and image of the institution.
Why did the news of Prince William and Rose Hanbury disappear?
However, as soon as these stories reached their peak, they disappeared from the British tabloids without a trace, as if they had never existed. The question arises: why?
The theory of Buckingham Palace intervention is put forward as the main explanation.
It is suggested that in order to preserve the image of a solid and stable marriage, which William and Kate have demonstrated over the years, the Palace may have resorted to a legal tool known as a ‘super-injunction’.
This type of injunction is so restrictive that it even prohibits mentioning its existence, preventing the media from making any claims about it.
This strategy to silence the media is plausible given that the Prince and Princess of Wales occupy a prominent place within the royal family, with William destined to be king and Kate, royal consort.
Keeping their image free of scandal is of paramount importance to the monarchy.
The disappearance of news reports of William’s alleged infidelity can be attributed to a concerted effort by the monarchy and its advisors to manage and protect the public image of its most prominent members.
In an era where information is rapidly propagated and globally accessible, control of the narrative is more crucial than ever.
The monarchy, by resorting to legal instruments and communication strategies, demonstrates its ability to influence the press and ensure that the public narrative remains favorable or, at the very least, neutral.
This incident not only reveals the inherent tensions between the press and the privacy of public individuals, but also underscores the transformation of the British monarchy in response to the challenges of the modern era.
The ability to adapt and manage crises will be vital to its survival and relevance in the years to come.