Did Duchess Kate preen so hard at the memorial because Rose Hanbury was there?

The Duchess of Cambridge is “known” for paying attention to the staging and imagery she creates, even if that staging and imagery is awful and neo-colonialist. But you get the idea, she cosplays Diana on purpose, to evoke Diana in a really creepy visual way. Kate also likes to do matching “color stories,” especially when she’s out with William and the children. So it’s weird to me, looking at the photos from Prince Philip’s memorial, that William, Charlotte and George are all in navy while she’s keening it up in black-and-white polka dots. It’s interesting. William is visually connected to the children while Kate stands apart. It’s more than likely that her intention was just that: to stand apart from everyone. To get attention. To preen in her ugly ‘80s dress.

I kind of believe that Kate was preening like a peacock because she was once again “competing” with another woman. That woman? Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. That’s right, Rose went to the memorial service as well. The Daily Mail even got photos of her – you can see them here – where Rose was looking chic and elegant in a simple black coatdress with white buttons down the front, Jesus wept. The Mail ran the photos alongside the headline: “Kate Middleton’s Norfolk friend Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley, looks elegant in a black coat dress and headband as she joins mourners at Prince Philip’s memorial.” After all that, we’re referring to poor Rose as “Kate Middleton’s Norfolk friend”? The Mail absolutely knows what they’re doing too, notice how shady this is:

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s friend Rose Hanbury, was among the 1,800 mourners at Prince Philip’s memorial service today.

The Marchioness of Cholmondeley, 38, is a neighbour of William and Kate’s Norfolk home Amner Hall and is regular among royal circles having previously been invited to a state banquets as well as charity events in East Anglia along side her husband, David Cholmondeley, 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, 61. The couple – who are worth an estimated £75million and have three children – live at the grand Houghton Hall, set in 1,000 acres close to The Queen’s Sandringham estate.

Rose – a member of the Duchess of Cambridge’s well-born group of friends dubbed the Turnip Toffs – looked solemn in black dress coat and drop earrings. She appeared to be joined by her husband as they both clutched an Order of Service inside the Abbey. Tying her brunette hair back into a low bun, she opted for a black pill box hat with leaf detail and a natural make-up look with a light black mascara and brown red lip.

Houghton Hall is a stunning Palladian mansion with 106-rooms, built in the 1720s for Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole. Kate and Prince William visited the house, just three miles away from Anmer Hall, in June 2016 to attend a charity gala to support East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices. Rose and David attended the Cambridges’ wedding in 2011 and their twin boys Alexander and Oliver were playmates of Prince George.

[From The Daily Mail]

“A regular among royal circles”? Her husband is the Lord Great Chamberlain. He has an inherited position serving the Queen. It’s not like Rose and David are merely friendly with the royals or just socialize with them or whatever, although there is a lot of that too. That’s why Kate’s attempt to “freeze out” Rose blew up in her face – Rose is simply too well-connected because of her husband’s position. Anyway, Prince William was at Houghton Hall more times than just that one fundraiser.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid & Instar.

North America Rights Only – London, UK -20220329- Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey -PICTURED: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge -PHOTO by: PA Images/INSTARimages.com Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing

Netherlands and France Out – London, UK -20220329- Memorial Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey -PICTURED: Prince George, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge -PHOTO by: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images/INSTARimages.com -51349565.jpg This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Instar Images LLC for licensing fee and rights information at or call +1 212 414 0207 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Instar Images LLC reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded

HRH Katherine, The Duchess of Cambridge attends a Service of Thanksgiving for HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey, London, England, UK on Tuesday 29 March, 2022.,Image: 673787495, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon

The Duchess of Cambridge and her daughter Princess Charlotte talk to clergy in Westminster Abbey following the service of thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip.,Image: 673808428, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon

Princess Charlotte is introduced to clergy in Westminster Abbey by her mother the duchess of Cambridge as they arrive for the service of thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip.,Image: 673808500, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon

29th March 2022, Westminster Abbey, London, UK. HRH Catherine, Duchess of Cambrige, and her eldest son, Prince George, leaving Westminster Abbey following the Service of Thanksgiving for the life of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who died at Windsor Castle last year. Amanda Rose/,Image: 673813075, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Supplied by AVALON – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon – London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: Amanda Rose / Avalon

Westminster, UNITED KINGDOM – Service of Thanksgiving for the life of the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey. Pictured: Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte BACKGRID USA 29 MARCH 2022 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / UK: +44 208 344 2007 / *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*

Westminster, UNITED KINGDOM – Service of Thanksgiving for the life of the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey. Pictured: Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte BACKGRID USA 29 MARCH 2022 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / UK: +44 208 344 2007 / *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*

North America Rights Only – London, UK -20220329- Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey -PICTURED: Princess Charlotte, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge -PHOTO by: PA Images/INSTARimages.com Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing