If you follow Royals gossip (and I know you do because you are reading this, no shame - I can't get enough) then this is BIG news. However, let me preface this by saying that there is no evidence at this time that the rumors are valid.

That being said, internet rumor mills are certainly whirling and many believe that Prince William has cheated on Kate Middleton with a close family friend.

How did this start?

To start off let me explain that the rumors surround friends of Prince William and Kate. David Cholmondeley, the former Earl of Rocksavage, and his wife Rose Hanbury. Specifically Rose. Rose is known officially as The Marchioness of Cholmondeley and her husband (23 years her senior) is known as the Marquess of Cholmondeley. The couple has a mansion three miles down the road from Prince William and Kate's country home, Anmer Hall. Will, Kate, Rose, and David have all been very friendly and used to double date.

At first, this seemed like a story about a friendship that had run its course, which the British tabloids were covering closely for reasons that nobody could figure out or cared about.

The Sun, one of the major British tabloids, ran an article that alleged Kate and William had split from the Cholmondeleys and Kate was working on excluding her from their social circle.

"Royal insiders say Kate has refused double dates with the couple and told William that former model Rose needs to be "phased out" as one of the ­couple's closest confidantes."

But why were they covering the story? On its surface it certainly didn't seem very juicy, but the Cambridge reaction to it was. Suddenly headlines appeared that claimed both parties planned to sue The Sun for this flagrant lie and that they would shut down anyone else who perpetuated it.

Two days after that headline, Daily Mail royal reporter Richard Kay further refuted the story and said William and Kate would consider legal action over it.

"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 fall-out are simply false."

Nobody but William, Kate, and Rose really know what happened or if anything has happened but for once the British tabloids are being extra cautious (as they should be) and curiously quiet when deciding what to report in this matter. That has left many wondering if that means the rumor is actually true?

Here's a lengthy explanation if you so desire:

A family source also tells Richard Kay that

"these hurtful rumors of a fallout are simply false. William and David [Rose's husband] were in touch with each other over the weekend, not knowing whether to laugh or complain. Both wives are hurt by the suggestion that there is any argument or even a coolness between them. They have plans for future events involving their charity."

Many of the initial tweets about an affair, like one from a Daily Mail journalist, have since been deleted. While the British tabloids couldn't get enough of the supposed feud between Meghan and Kate, they have remained strangely silent on the alleged affair between the future king and the Marchioness.

This leaves most people thinking that the royal family has been trying to suppress the story.

Does their behavior speak for itself?

I hope not and I hope this rumor is not true. I think they are a lovely couple. For what's it worth, Prince William and Kate just announced that they will be taking a trip next week, just in time for their 8-year-anniversary.

For now, it's really just idle gossip. But still, we'll be watching to see how this story unfolds.