When it comes to royal gossip and rumors, there is always plenty to go around. However, when celebrities and public figures use these rumors to make tasteless jokes and further sensationalize the situation, things can quickly go from bad to worse.
This is exactly what happened recently when talk show host Stephen Colbert joked about an alleged affair between Prince Harry and his friend, Rose Hanbury. These rumors started circulating when Catherine, Princess of Wales, disappeared from the public eye for a period of time. While many people were speculating about the reasons behind her absence, Colbert decided to air a monologue that made light of the situation and perpetuated the rumor.
Rose Hanbury Responded to Stephen Colbert’s Prince William Affair Joke With a Legal Notice https://t.co/kpo77NbdWi
— InStyle (@InStyle) March 28, 2024
Unsurprisingly, Hanbury and her legal team took issue with Colbert’s tasteless joke. It’s one thing to make fun of gossip and rumors, but it’s an entirely different story when it involves a woman who is undergoing cancer treatments.
A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales pic.twitter.com/5LQT1qGarK
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2024
Hanbury’s lawyers said the “rumor appears to have entered into the mainstream media recently as a result of another joke made about it on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. We have written on our client’s behalf to CBS and various other reputable media organisations to confirm that the allegation is false.”
Not only is this highly insensitive and disrespectful, but it also spreads false information and causes unnecessary harm and stress. Hanbury’s legal team recently sent a legal notice to CBS and other media outlets to confirm that the allegation is false and should not be spread any further.
Despite the fact that these rumors have been circulating for years, there is no evidence to support them. Additionally, it’s not fair to further tarnish the reputation of someone who is going through a difficult time, especially when it involves the royal family.
This isn’t the first time that Colbert has used his platform to attack and spread false information about public figures.
What makes this situation even more disturbing is that Catherine’s absence had nothing to do with any alleged affair. Her surgery and subsequent recovery period were clearly announced by Buckingham Palace back in January.
Unfortunately, this didn’t stop the online rumor mill from speculating and spreading false information. Now, Colbert is trying to backtrack on his comments without actually apologizing.
US chat show host Stephen Colbert who led the charge of MSM hate against Catherine, the Princess of Wales, is now desperately trying to back-pedal following announcement of her cancer diagnosis pic.twitter.com/rRZ6BDrCw1
— Dan Wootton (@danwootton) March 26, 2024
There’s a fine line between making a joke and spreading malicious gossip. In this case, Colbert made a huge misstep and it’s time for him to take responsibility and apologize for his actions.
