William and Kate look like the dream pair. It was at the University of St. Andrews that the Prince and Princess of Wales met.
There were some ups and downs in their relationship, but they made it through and got married.
They now have a wonderful family. After his father, King Charles, only time will tell when it is William’s turn to take the throne.
The Prince and Princess Kate really care about their friends and other people they know. But some years ago, a shocking claim about William and a woman who was rumored to be his lover shocked the royal family and fans…
It was not just any woman; it was one of Princess Kate’s best friends. What did really happen? Who is this woman said to be her mistress? How about we take a better look?
Prince William and Princess Kate met at St. Andrews University and became friends there. Before they met, they were both with other people, but it was clear right away that their partnership would be different.
They lived in St. Salvator’s Hall, the same dorm, and went to the same classes and talks. After their second year, they moved in with some friends in a private home, which is where their love grew.
It seemed like William and Kate shared a sense of fun, which was one of the things that made them click.
“She’s got a really naughty sense of humour, which really helps me because I’ve got a really dirty sense of humour so it was good fun, we had a really good laugh, and then things happened,” William said in their engagement video.
It wasn’t long before everyone, or at least the British tabloids, found out that Kate Middleton was dating the future king.
Naturally, the papers wrote as much as they could about the couple. However, they didn’t just write “love is in the air” stories. Instead, they were interested in Kate’s private life and even called her mean things.
Neither William nor Kate went to college in 2005. Kate had a Master of Arts in history and William had a Master of Arts in geography.
Even though they were very close, it looked like other people were trying to hurt their relationship.
Katie Nicholl said that William’s friends made fun of Kate by calling her mean names and making sly jabs at her because of Carole’s job. She was an air hostess for British Airways before she and her husband, Michael, started their well-known business.
Nicholl said on the Dynasty podcast from Vanity Fair that William’s “snooty” friends used this against him. They said “doors to manual” in a whisper when Kate walked into a London bar.
Some upper-class people were also said to have called the princess’s family “the en masse Middletons.”
Kate was called cruel nicknames by William’s friends
The prince’s upper-class friends, who are called the “Glosse Posse” because they are from Gloucestershire, talked down to Kate like she was not worthy of their attention. But Kate never shut up about the “derogatory” things people said about her. Instead, she decided to not look at them.
“It was never water off a duck’s back, but she has extraordinary strength of character and resilience. I’ve never once seen or heard of her losing her temper,” a royal aide told the Sunday Times Magazine.
A source told the Daily Mail in 2021 that Prince William “flew off the handle” when his friends made fun of his lover.
“He flies off the handle at any sign of Kate being patronised and stamps that out very quickly. It’s one of his triggers,” the royal source said.
“Over the years, many people have come up with great ideas for her, but if they are put across in a dismissive way, they’ve got pretty short shrift from him.”
Many people thought it was the start of what would soon be an engagement at that point. But things went badly after only two years.
William and Kate split up in 2007, which got a lot of attention. At the same time, things seemed unstable a year ago when William and Kate turned down each other’s requests to spend big holidays together.
For example, William reportedly turned down Kate’s parents’ invitation to spend New Year’s Eve with them just a few days before, which made Kate cry.
Married in 2011
Nicolell wrote in 2011 a book called The Making of a Royal Romance, in which she said that Kate was afraid for the future of their relationship.
William said he would meet Kate and her family, but he called on Christmas Day to back out. He chose to stay with the royal family instead.
He didn’t know what to do, so the future king talked to the Queen and his father, Charles, about how he felt. It was easy for them to answer.
“William had been having second thoughts and sat down with his father and his grandmother to have a frank discussion about his future with Kate. Both advised him not to hurry into anything,” Nicholl claimed in her book.
The love story between William and Kate was still alive, of course. Their friendship was strong, and they made up.
They got married in Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. In 2013, they had their first child, Prince George, who will become king. In 2015, they had Princess Charlotte, and in 2018, they had Prince Louis.
People look up to Prince William and Princess Kate as examples of how royals should act in public. It’s also about how they raise their kids. They have made it clear for many years that they want George, Charlotte, and Louis to have a normal childhood, even though they have to follow some rules. They are royal after all, and those rules can seem pretty strict to someone outside.
In 2019, though, a very bad story spread in a US tabloid that shocked the royal family. Had William cheated on his wife?
William was rumored to have had an affair with Kate’s friend Rose Hanbury
The first thing that needs to be said is that nothing has been proven. An American magazine called In Touch said in April 2019 that William “may” have had an affair with Rose Hanbury, who is the Marchioness of Cholmondeley and a friend of Kate’s.
The “falling out” between William, Kate, and Rose was written about in tabloids.
It was reported in In Touch that Kate told William about the claims, but William “laughed it off” and said they weren’t true.
At the time, Richard Kay, a royal expert for the Daily Mail, spoke out against the reports and said they were all lies.
“Both sides have considered legal action, but because none of the reports have been able to offer any evidence about what the so-called dispute is about, they have chosen to ignore it…
These hurtful rumors of a fallout are simply false,” Kay wrote.
There was a lot of talk about it, and in 2019 the Daily Mail said that Kate would “phase out” Rose Hanbury from their group of friends.
Rose lived close to William and Kate, knew a lot of the same people, and had homes in Norfolk that were close to each other. This didn’t help.
William and Kate’s summer home in Anmer Hall is close to Houghton Hall, where Rose and her husband live. Houghton Hall is said to have 106 rooms.
Am I Wrong for Refusing to Keep Providing Free Childcare for My Stepdaughter?
All I ask is a few minutes of your time to hear my ordeal. Months after providing free childcare for my stepdaughter, I made a choice to refuse when things went too far. Now I need you to tell me — was I really wrong for not giving in to her bizarre demands and refusing to babysit her child?
Retirement was supposed to be my time to relax, travel, and maybe take up gardening. Instead, I became “Grandma Daycare,” a title I wore proudly. I’d retired when my first grandchild was born, and over the years, I’d babysat all five of my grandchildren, both from my kids and stepkids.
An older woman with her grandchild | Source: Pexels
“Grandma, tell us the story about the dancing bear again!” little Tommy would beg, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
“No, the princess one!” Lily would counter, climbing onto my lap.
Those moments made my heart swell. Their laughter was worth every second of exhaustion, even on the hardest days. It wasn’t always easy, but I loved it.
Whether it was finger painting, bedtime stories, or comforting a feverish toddler, I poured my heart and soul into caring for them. My days were busy but fulfilling.
A cheerful grandmother babysitting a toddler | Source: Midjourney
“You’re a miracle worker,” my son James once said, watching me juggle three kids while baking cookies. “I don’t know how you do it.”
“Love,” I replied simply. “Love makes everything possible, dear.”
Alice, my stepdaughter, was the last one to have a baby. Her daughter, Ellie, was born when my schedule was already full. I watched my 18-month-old grandson Monday through Friday and handled the older kids during summer breaks.
I wasn’t sure I could take on another child, but I was open to helping where I could.
Unfortunately, Alice and her boyfriend, Sam, made that almost impossible.
A young couple | Source: Unsplash
Alice and Sam had always been a bit high-maintenance, but I wasn’t prepared for the three-page list they handed me when Alice was just ten weeks pregnant.
“We’ve put together some rules,” Alice said, her voice overly casual. “If you’re going to babysit my baby, you’ll need to agree to these.”
I skimmed the list, and my jaw nearly hit the floor.
“I can’t cook? I can’t have more than one other grandchild over? And what’s this about my cat? Muffin has to stay out of the baby’s rooms, even when your baby’s not here?” I looked at them incredulously. “This is… a lot.”
A shocked senior woman holding a piece of paper | Source: Midjourney
Sam folded his arms. “It’s for our baby’s safety.”
“Safety?” My voice rose. “I raised three children, helped raise two stepchildren, and have been caring for four grandchildren without a single incident. What exactly are you implying about my capabilities?”
“Times have changed, Ruby,” Sam said dismissively. “There are new studies, new recommendations —”
“New recommendations about cooking?” I interrupted, my hands trembling with anger. “About having siblings and cousins around? About cats that have been part of the family longer than you have?”
“Mom,” Alice pleaded, “we just want what’s best for our baby.”
A young woman looking frustrated | Source: Midjourney
“I’m sure you mean well,” I said, handing the list back, fighting to keep my voice steady, “but this won’t work for me. You’ll need to find other childcare.”
Their faces fell, but I stood my ground.
Months later, Alice called me in a panic. Her voice cracked with desperation. “Mom, our sitter canceled last minute. Can you watch Ellie tomorrow? Just for the day?”
I hesitated. “You know I won’t be following those rules, right? I’ll provide safe and appropriate care, but I won’t be micromanaged.”
Alice sighed. “That’s fine. We just really need help.”
That “one day” turned into four months. While Alice was somewhat tolerable, Sam was a nightmare. Every time he picked Ellie up, he’d make snide comments about Muffin, the number of kids I had over, or whether I’d cooked that day.
A senior woman holding a baby | Source: Midjourney
One afternoon, as I read to Ellie and her cousin, Sam arrived early.
“Well, well,” he sneered, “I see we’re breaking rules again. Two kids at once? How dangerous.”
I held Ellie closer, feeling her tiny fingers grip my shirt. “Sam, if you have concerns, we can discuss them like adults. But not in front of the children.”
He scoffed. “I guess we don’t have a choice but to put up with this for now.”
And the other day, he said, “I guess you’re happy you won, Ruby.”
An annoyed young man | Source: Midjourney
By Sunday nights, I’d started dreading the week ahead. The joy I once felt watching my grandkids was overshadowed by Sam’s constant negativity and Alice’s relentless questioning:
“Did the baby cry? Did you change her diaper twice? Did you feed her?”
I had raised kids on my own — did they really think I was new to this whole motherhood thing? Some days were worse than others, but I let it slide, chalking it up to them being “new parents” trying too hard to get everything right.
A heartbroken senior woman sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney
Thanksgiving was the breaking point. I’d told Alice and Sam well in advance that I’d have all my grandkids over during the holiday break. But Sam wasn’t happy.
“This isn’t safe,” he said during one particularly tense pickup. “You can’t watch all those kids and take care of Ellie properly.”
“I’ve been doing this for years, Sam,” I said, trying to keep my voice level. “All these children are family. They love each other, they look out for each other, and there’s nothing to worry about here.”
“That’s not good enough,” he interrupted. “Ellie needs individual attention. She needs —”
“Then make other arrangements,” I said calmly.
Of course, they didn’t.
An annoyed man holding a baby | Source: Midjourney
On the first day of Thanksgiving break, Sam picked Ellie up and made another snide comment, this time directly to her. “I’m sorry, my baby. I guess we have no choice but to leave you in an unsafe situation to be neglected.”
My heart shattered. Seven-month-old Ellie might not have understood the words, but I felt humiliated. Her lower lip trembled, and she began to cry.
“How dare you,” I whispered, my voice shaking with rage. “How dare you poison her against me? Against her family?”
I scooped Ellie up, soothing her tears while glaring at Sam. “You can criticize me all you want, but don’t you dare use this precious child as a weapon in your petty war.”
A senior woman having an emotional breakdown | Source: Midjourney
Sam opened his mouth to argue, but I cut him off. “You may think you’re the expert at everything, but let me remind you — respect is earned, not demanded. And right now? You’re running on empty.”
Sam scoffed, crossing his arms. “Respect? You mean like the respect you show by ignoring our rules? Funny, because from where I’m standing, you’re the one who’s out of line.”
That was it.
I called Alice that night, my voice hoarse from holding back tears. “You have two weeks to find other childcare. And from now on, Sam is not welcome here. If he comes to pick Ellie up, I won’t watch her again.”
An angry woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney
“Mom, please,” Alice begged. “He didn’t mean —”
“He meant every word,” I cut her off. “And your silence makes you complicit. Two weeks, Alice. That’s final.”
Alice reluctantly agreed, and for a while, things improved. However, on New Year’s Day, I received several texts from friends with screenshots of a post that Sam had made on his social media page.
“Thankful we finally found someone safe to watch Ellie after dealing with a HORRIBLE babysitter,” the post read. He tagged me and added, “Some people just aren’t cut out for childcare.”
What hurt the most? Alice had liked the post.
A shocked senior woman staring at her phone | Source: Midjourney
I was LIVID. After months of free childcare, enduring Sam’s endless criticism and Alice’s never-ending demands, this was how they repaid me? I collapsed into my husband’s arms, sobbing.
“Thirty years,” I choked out. “I’ve been caring for children for 30 years. How can they say I’m not cut out for it?”
“They’re wrong,” he whispered, stroking my hair. “Everyone knows they’re wrong.”
I decided right then and there: I was done.
A few days later, Alice called again. “Mom, the daycare dropped Ellie. Can you start watching her again?”
An anxious young woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney
I took a deep breath, steadying myself against the kitchen counter. “I’m sorry for your situation, Alice, but I can’t do it. I don’t feel comfortable watching Ellie anymore.”
“Please, Mom,” she sobbed. “We don’t have anyone else. I might have to quit my job!”
“Maybe you should have thought about that before letting Sam publicly humiliate me. Before liking his cruel post.”
“That was stupid, I know,” she admitted. “I just… I felt trapped between you and him. Please, Mom. We’ll do anything.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” I whispered, tears rolling down my cheeks. “But sometimes ‘anything’ comes too late.”
A sad woman engaged on a phonecall | Source: Midjourney
Later, I found out the truth. The daycare hadn’t dropped Ellie — her parents had left because they couldn’t afford it. Alice and Sam hadn’t realized daycare didn’t provide essentials like diapers, wipes, and formula. They’d assumed $350 a week covered everything. Sam had also been shocked to learn that one worker cared for five infants at a time.
Now, they were scrambling. Sam had to sell his dirt bike, and Alice sold all her designer handbags to afford their child’s daycare.
My husband and stepson think I should reconsider for Ellie’s sake. “Sam’s the problem,” they argue. “Why punish Alice and Ellie for his behavior?”
A distressed woman lost in deep thought | Source: Midjourney
One night, during a heated family dinner, my stepson took a jab at me. “If this were your own daughter’s child, you’d forgive and move on.”
The room fell silent. I set down my fork, hands trembling.
“How dare you,” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. “How dare you suggest I love any of my grandchildren less than others. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this family for decades. I’ve loved your children as my own. But love doesn’t mean accepting abuse.”
“Mom’s right,” my daughter Sarah spoke up, her voice fierce. “You all saw how Sam treated her. How Alice enabled it. Would you let someone treat your mother that way?”
A furious woman crossing her arms | Source: Midjourney
My stepson’s words stung, but they weren’t true. I’d always treated my stepkids and biological kids equally. The difference was respect. My own kids and their spouses respected me. But Alice and Sam didn’t.
Ellie eventually returned to daycare, and I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I could finally enjoy my time with my other grandkids without Sam’s negativity hanging over me.
One morning, while watching my grandson paint, he looked up at me with serious eyes.
“Grandma,” he said, “why doesn’t cousin Ellie come anymore?”
My heart clenched. “Sometimes, sweetheart, grown-ups have disagreements that make it hard to be together. But that doesn’t mean we love Ellie any less.”
A little boy with curious eyes | Source: Midjourney
“I miss her,” he said.
“Me too, baby,” I whispered. “Me too.”
Alice and Sam are learning the hard way that free childcare isn’t a right — it’s a privilege.
So, am I wrong for refusing to keep watching Ellie? Maybe. But respect is a two-way street. If they can’t appreciate the help they’ve been given, they’ll have to figure it out themselves.
Last week, I saw Alice at the grocery store. She looked tired and stressed. Our eyes met across the produce section, and for a moment, I saw my little girl again — the one who used to run to me with skinned knees and broken hearts, trusting me to make everything better.
But I’m not that kind of bandage anymore. To all the Sams and Alices of the world: grandma isn’t a free nanny.
A determined senior woman | Source: Midjourney
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Leave a Reply