In a recent turn of events, British newspapers have removed a total of 21 articles alluding to baseless rumors suggesting that the Prince of Wales engaged in an extramarital affair with his neighbor, Rose Hanbury.
Despite the deletion of these articles, the swirling speculations surrounding the alleged infidelity of the Prince continue to persist.
Investigative journalist Ellie Hall, known for her work with Vulture and previously as a royal correspondent for Buzzfeed, has delved deep into this scandal, shedding light on the extensive purging of data.
Notably, inquiries made by The Daily Beast to the Prince of Wales’ office regarding their potential involvement in the removal of the stories went unanswered.
This silence raises questions about the Palace’s attempts to influence British media coverage, as they have a significant sway over press officials.
Close associates of the Prince revealed to The Daily Beast that the accusations seemed to have little impact on him, likening them to mere water off a duck’s back.
Initially dismissing the rumors as online rubbish, the Prince felt compelled to address the situation following the inclusion of his friend Hanbury in the narrative.
The controversy took a comedic turn when talk show host Stephen Colbert humorously touched upon the alleged affair during his Late Show monologue on March 12.
Hanbury swiftly refuted these claims through her legal representatives, prompting a legal warning to CBS over Colbert’s remarks.
Responding to the public statements made by Colbert, Hanbury issued her first official denial of the rumors.
Colbert, in his signature style, playfully poked fun at Hanbury’s marital name Chumley, comparing it to something out of a Flintstones episode.
Journalist Ellie Hall, who extensively covered the story for Vulture, highlighted the secretive removal and alteration of numerous online articles as a critique of media transparency.
She emphasized that the ongoing fascination with the scandal exemplifies the Streisand effect, where attempts to conceal information inadvertently amplify public interest in the matter.
Hall revealed that legal threats in 2019 initially prevented the story from being published, but subsequent warnings to media outlets regarding its coverage only served to intensify the narrative.
Despite Hall’s efforts to reach out to the newspapers involved in retracting the articles, no responses were received.
This lack of communication underscores the sensitivity and complexity surrounding the issue at hand.
The persistence of the scandal can be attributed to a concerted effort by undisclosed parties who are keen on suppressing the story.
As the saga unfolds, the public remains captivated by the unfolding drama, eager to uncover the truth behind the rumors.