Ruthie Henshall, an Olivier Award-winning actress, has revealed a secret five-year romance with Prince Edward. The relationship occurred between 1988 and 1993, remaining hidden until the release of her memoir and a recent podcast appearance.
A 1988 meeting in London's West End
The connection between Ruthie Henshall and Prince Edward began in 1988, when the Prince was 23 years old. At the time, Prince Edward had recently transitioned away from the Royal Marines to explore backstage opportunities within London's West End theatre district. According to the podcast Palace Confidential, this career shift was not initially welcomed by the Queen and Prince Philip, though they eventuallly supported the move after Prince Edward showed a genuine passion for the performing arts during his studies at the University of Cambridge.
The relationship evolved while Ruthie Henshall was working on a stage production linked to Andrew Lloyd Webber. As reported by Palace Confidential, Prince Edward served as her primary royal contact, eventually inviting her to Buckingham Palace for a private screening of the 1954 film A Star Is Born. This evening served as a romantic catalyst, with the pair sharing their first kiss approximately three months into their dating period.
The Queen's preference for Prince Edward over Prince Andrew
During the five years the couple spent together,Ruthie Henshall was integrated into the private circles of the royal family. She describes visiting Windsor Castle and attending a remote cookout at the Loch Muick cottage in Balmoral. During these encounters, Ruthie Henshall recalls performing the song "I Dreamed a Dream" for the royal family, an act that earned her praise from the late Queen.
In a departure from common royal narratives, Ruthie Henshall asserts that Prince Edward, rather than Prince Andrew, was the Queen's favorite child. She claims that the Queen's expression would visibly brighten whenever Prince Edward entered the room, suggesting a deeper emotional bond than is typically attributed to the younger son in public histories.
Why security screenings for theater audiences ended the romance in 1993
Despite the emotional connection, the relationship reached an impasse in 1993. Ruthie Henshall explains that the demands of royal life were fundamentally incompatible with her flourishing career in the theatre. Prince Edward reportedly informed her that for the relationship to continue, she would have to abandon the stage entirely.
The primary obstacle was the security burden associated with the monarchy. As noted in the report, the Prince explained that Ruthie Henshall's professional presence in theaters would necessitate nightly security screenings for both the audiences and the backstage staff. Unable to sacrifice her career, Ruthie Henshall and Prince Edward drifted apart, and the Prince began a relationship with Sophie, the future Duchess of Edinburgh, later that same year.
Prince Edward's 'two wives' theory on royal duty
Reflecting on the constraints of the monarchy, Ruthie Henshall shares a poignant observation made by Prince Edward regarding the nature of royal marriage. The Prince reportedly suggested that in an ideal world, a man in his position would want two wives: one to handle the rigid requirements of royal duties and another for genuine love.
This perspective highlights the perceived injustice of subjecting a romantic partner to the relentless scrutiny and burden of representing the British monarchy. While Ruthie Henshall admits she could have managed the role of a royal spouse temporarily, she describes the long-term commitment as a "hell of a job" that would have eventually stifled her identity.
The missing response from the House of Windsor
While Ruthie Henshall has now gone public with these details in her memoir, The Showgirl and the Prince, several questions remain. It is currently unknown if the House of Windsor or Prince Edward himself will provide a comment on these claims, particularly the assertion regarding the Queen's favoritism.
Furthermore, the source does not clarify if the Duchess of Edinburgh was ever made aware of this five-year history prior to the memoir's release. Because the account relies solely on the perspective of Ruthie Henshall, the internal royal reaction to these revelations remains a significant void in the narrative.
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