16 August 2023 , 15:54
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The Princess of Wales is known to have a tight inner circle of friends that she can rely on.
And it appears Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley, may be among them after she and Kate reportedly enjoyed a fun-filled visit to a festival. The two women were among a group who dined and drank cocktails and wine at the Houghton Festival - a 24-hour dance and rave event.
Both Kate and Rose have long been linked as sharing a friendship, with Rose's husband David, the Marquess of Cholmondeley, previously playing an integral part in royal life. So how exactly did they strike up their bond? Here we take a look...
Early friendship
When Prince William and Kate married in 2011, the late Queen gifted them a country retreat, Anmer Hall in Norfolk. And it is extremely close to Houghton Hall, the country estate owned by David, where he lives with Rose and their three children - Alexander Oliver and Iris.
Rose at King Charles' Coronation earlier this year (James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock)
Rose and her husband David, the Marquess of CholmondeleyThe couple is believed to be part of a wider group of friends William and Kate have in Norfolk, where they spend much of their downtime when not in London or their Windsor home of Adelaide Cottage. When it comes to charity work, both Kate and Rose share a common bond as both are patrons of East Anglia Children’s Hospices and in 2016, were pictured at a fund-raising event for the charity. Prior to settling down and having children, Rose had been a model and signed to the same agency as Kate Moss. She also worked as a researcher for Conservative MP Michael Gove before marrying and having children.
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Cruel rumours
However, in 2019, cruel rumours began to circulate of a rift forming between Kate and Rose. Reports claimed that Kate wanted to "phase out" her pal from their Norfolk circle.
The two women and their husbands were said to be left baffled by the claims and a family source told the Daily Mail: "These hurtful rumours of a fall-out are simply false. William and David were in touch with each other over the weekend, not knowing whether to laugh or complain.
The two women at a gala dinner in 2016 (PA Archive/PA Images)"Both wives are hurt by the suggestion that there is any argument or even a coolness between them. They have plans for future events involving their charity." While another friend said at the time: "It has now become very upsetting and they are all concerned for each other, as they have never before had to start denying something for which there is no evidence or even a smidgen of truth. It is just mad."
Royal connections
However, it is not just William and Kate that Rose and her husband David have a royal connection with. In 1990 following the death of his father, David became the Lord Great Chamberlain, in charge of the Palace of Westminster, and served in this role up until Elizabeth II's death last year.
The filmmaker, 62, was also a page of honour to the late Queen for two years from the ages of 14 to 16 in the 1970s. But he is not the only one in his family to be a page to the monarch.
His 13-year-old son Oliver was one of the pages of honour at the Coronation of King Charles earlier this year. Oliver has a twin brother Alexander, who will one day inherit their father's title as he is older and is currently Earl of Rocksavage. According to the Telegraph, Oliver landed the page role as Alexander will one day inherit the family title.
Party night out
Rose and her husband were said to be with Kate during her visit to the Houghton Festival, which is held on their huge estate in Norfolk. And it has now been reported exactly what she got up - and the hefty tip her party left staff.
Rather than snack on food from a truck or burger van, it is reported Kate and her party of friends actually dined at the festival's on-site restaurant Turntable and Napkin, where a four-course meal sets diners back around £60. It is also said her group drank wine and spicy margaritas and had a great time.
A source told the London Evening Standard that Kate was "in high spirits, ordering spicy margaritas, eating affogato [an Italian coffee-based dessert], and speaking affably with the other members of her party.
"Her companions apparently carted in a huge, balthazar-sized bottle of AIX rosé and, together with Kate, left the festival restaurant staff a £700 tip." A balthazar-sized bottle of wine can hold up to 12 litres - and can cost £500.
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