Report alleges Catherine warned William to choose between her and Rose
Catherine has spoken publicly for the first time since renewed claims about
Rose Hanbury drew fresh attention. Her message came as she marked Addiction
Awareness Week, offering support and empathy to those living with addiction.
A new report from OK! Magazine, based on comments by royal biographer Andrew
Lownie, suggests Catherine once issued a firm warning to William over the
long-standing rumour of an affair with former friend Rose Hanbury. Lownie
claimed in a now-deleted Substack post that Catherine told him, “It’s her or
me. Make up your mind.” He also wrote that Catherine was “devastated” by the
rumours and insisted William avoid Rose entirely.
According to the report, the couple have attended marriage therapy since the
speculation first emerged in 2019. An insider said their relationship has had
difficult moments but added that a split is not expected.
Amid the renewed headlines, Catherine posted a message on social media as part
of her work with the Forward Trust, of which she has been patron since 2021.
She wrote that she is proud to support Addiction Awareness Week and stressed
that addiction “is not a choice, or a personal failing, but a complex mental
health condition that should be met with empathy and support.”
In her full statement, Catherine called for an end to the “fear, shame and
judgement” faced by people struggling with drug, alcohol and gambling
addictions. She urged society to meet them with “compassion and love” as they
seek help.
