If you’re a public figure in 2019, being involved in a scandalous love triangle can do wonders for your career.
So it’s not terribly surprising that Rose Hanbury has been ranked as one of the most "socially powerful" people in the UK.
What is surprising is that a number of other prominent movers and shakers were left off the list — including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
In case you haven’t been keeping up on the soap-worthy drama unfolding within the Windsor clan, here’s a brief refresher on Rose and why she’s suddenly a thing:
Hanbury is a former friend of Kate Middleton’s who enjoys the extraordinarily British-sounding title of Marchioness of Cholmondeley.
She’s married to the much-older David Rocksavage, AKA the Marquess of Cholmondeley.
Though her marriage has brought her wealth, status, and membership in a social circle that has her rubbing elbows with royals, Rose is allegedly afflicted with a wandering eye.
Back in April, the Cambridges were scandalized by reports that Prince William slept with Hanbury with Kate was pregnant with her third child.
The rumors were so persistent that William threatened legal action against British media outlets who reported on the situation.
Now, before all of this, the Cholmondeleys were big deals within their exclusive social circle centered in rural Norfolk, England.
But the scandal made Rose a household name among royal watchers all over the globe.
And this week, the former model reached another milestone on her path to international fame when the influential Tatler magazine named Hanbury and her husband to their short list of the most "socially powerful" people in England.
William and Kate also made the list, of course, as did actor Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina Dhowre, as well Harper Beckham, the 7-year-old daughter of Victoria and David Beckham.
Kate Middleton and Prince Harry, however, were snubbed.
And right about now, you’re probably beginning to realize why so many are convinced this list is nothing more than an elaborate troll job.
Rose Hanbury and Harper Beckham both carry more clout on the London social scene than Meghan freakin’ Markle?!
We know this list is meant as an indicator of influence in the UK, and it’s very possible that the folks at Tatler know something we don’t about Meg’s reputation.
Still, as a kind of social experiment, we encourage the magazine’s editors to approach 100 Americans, utter the name "Rose Hanbury" and marvel as the number of blank stares approaches the three-digit mark.
