To think the UK media silence on the Prince William rumours is odd

[Absofuckinglutely]

Just that really. No idea if there's anything more than rumour and speculation, but it's all over social media that Prince William allegedly had an affair with one of Kate's friends, but there is a total media silence on it.
Pretty bizarre considering that Meghan Markle barely has to breathe and the media are covering it.

@PlatypusPie it's pitiful that you sit at your keyboard and feel entitled to make sweeping comments about my character, given that you've never met me.

Please don't tell me what my intention was on starting this topic, you are entirely wrong.
My actual interest is in the freedom of the press. I couldn't give a flying shite about whether or not Will has been where he shouldn't have. I do however, find it telling that the press report on the merest sniff of any other rumour, but have ignored this entirely when it has been trending no 1 on Twitter for the past 24 hours.

When I was at Uni one of the posh girls who lived in our halls told us Prince Charles had a bit on the side (Camilla) and they used to come and stay on her Dad's estate to go hunting. She said everyone in their circle knew. I told my mother and aunts- they were all -that could never happen, look how happy he and Di are, nothing in the newspapers. This reminds me of that. I'm more likely to believe that PW has been shagging his ex model neighbour that Meghan and Kate have fallen out 'cos they are you know, women.

I suspect Giles Coren has about as much idea as I do about William and Kate's marriage but he is a bitchy tweeter! I really hope he has been threatened with legal action as suspect he wouldn't have found it so amusing if someone had said that about his marriage in such a public way.

All the US publications seem to think that Giles is Best buddies with the royals which is quite hilarious.

I agree. It's awful that the press don't publish more gossip.

Oh no, wait, it isn't.

I imagine the press aren't printing too much because they couldn't prove in court it is true and also they want to still get little inside stories from the palace. So not really a freedom of the press thing.

I would be intrigued to know who leaked the original story though - now that would be interesting.

No I find it extremely odd. Apparently a legal letter was sent to a British newspaper and tabloids and newspapers have different approaches to libel. Added to this, libel laws I’m UK different to US. In the UK if they claimed that the affair happened then they would have to prove they had evidence of the affair. This would be hard to do. They could arguably mention the rumours of the affairs or find a way around this. The royal family regularly do press deals. An example of this is when Harry made a bargain with the British press to not let ant know know about his overseas army tour in exchange for press interviews when he returned. Another arrangement is not publishing paparazzi photos of them going about their daily lives with kids. In exchange the royals do x or x. The royals give them access via engagement shoots, interviews and press calls and favour certain journalists so there is like this push and pull relationship. I imagine that deals are being made all over the place to publish certain stories and kill others.

I think the photos of WIlliam dancing in Verbier in 2017 and his hand on the waist of an attractive lady was telling. I would guess that at best he’s a flirt after a few drinks.

People say this shouldn’t be discussed and it’s tawdry to, however it’s in the press, are we all meant to put our fingers in our ears and sip our tea while adjusting our pearls .? Pretend the world isn’t so awful. If he’s the future king of an influential family then I want the truth about his character and treatment of women. Not the scandal or the gossip just the truth. The media should publish stories that are in the public interest. It’s the UK, not North Korea after all and the royal family cost money.

The legal departments will have been asked for advice.

Surely there's no mystery about why the British press aren't reporting on this 'story' - they don't want to get sued. Alleging the future king is carrying on an extramarital affair without hard proof would be very foolish.

Surely it's just a combination of a possible injunction and the fact that they don't have enough evidence to back up the allegation so would be open to being sued for defamation. Possibly also media outlets not wanting to piss off the Royals lest they are denied access in the future.

I don't think it's a mad illuminati everyone-hates-Meghan conspiracy.

I read it on Twitter but have seen absolutely nothing about it in the news. Very weird. But I doubt it's true anyway

I’m pretty sure it’s because the U.K. press are gagged - palace lawyers have sent letters warning UK publishers off from sharing the story.

That obviously doesn’t mean the rumours are true. But I think it’s why it’s not in the papers (except for abroad where it has been widely published).

Oh and this is going to sound absurd but I don’t think it is... I think there are palace public relations people on mumsnet. I’ve noticed a few comments on threads where a user pops up out of the blue and defends the royal family with all these facts and figures and it’s eloquently written. Could just be ardent royalists but i suspect a close eye is kept on social media and forums.

Ps: I wouldn’t shag WIlliam if I was Rose mind you. As a matter of fact I wouldn’t shag anyone. I’d be too busy walking the halls of my massive pile and lying around in a sparkly couture dress and tiara drinking gin. With a house and a wardrobe like that who would bother with anything else.

Totally agree Humpy, also applies to many others in the public eye. Not absurd at all, just PR at work.

The previous post, nowt about shagging Wills .

I’m pretty sure it’s because the U.K. press are gagged - palace lawyers have sent letters warning UK publishers off from sharing the story.

It's not "gagging" the press to inform that that the royal family will pursue a defamation case if false, damaging rumours about them are published.

Freedom of speech doesn't mean you're free to publish insulting lies about people without consequence.

I've no doubt that the media was silenced, as they are on a lot of stories involving William.

I don't believe any woman would find him attractive at all. If he did which I doubt, it will have been his money she was after.

Having extra marital relationships is a key feature of the British monarchy. It is only right that he should uphold the tradition of all of his forebearers.

I go away with friends without DH quite often. If the paparazzi were interested they could take photos of me dancing with male friends in night clubs, sitting with my head close to another man in a bar (aka as ‘talking in a noisy environment’), hugging them or even kissing them goodnight. It would just be a peck on the cheek not a snog but it could be angled to look incriminating. Luckily I am Little Mrs Nobody so I am free to live my life without media intrusion or speculation on the internet.

Can we name 10 adult members of the royal family since 1901 who have not been linked an extra marital affair?

I can name 1- Prince Edward- any others?

Money, shmoney. The woman in question is married to a man richer than Prince William. The attraction will have been the fact that he's, y'know, Prince William.

William definitely seems the type to cheat. He never seemed into Kate as she was into him. He is like his father

[laugh]

If every child had the sins of their father bestowed on them as a matter of course, there'd be some pretty horrible people around.

What rubbish this all is.

But somewhere along the line it'll me Meghan's fault, mark my words

Hmmm but are they lies @Pcohle ? Why can’t the press write a story about the rumour, they’re not stating it’s fact. The media and internet is flooded with these rumours and the press are ignoring that and I feel like not discussing it is a bit North Korean.

The press didn’t start these rumours, it’s been dinner party conversation for quite some time at the tables of lords and ladies. The aristocracy have plenty of real scandals, they don’t need to make them up.

Can we name 10 adult members of the royal family since 1901 who have not been linked an extra marital affair?

The Queen?

Infidelity is/was generally seen as a sport for the royal males to participate in.