Prince Edward’s Former Girlfriend Opens Up About Why Their Royal Romance Ended
Prince Edward’s former girlfriend, Ruthie Henshall, has reflected on their long-ago romance, offering fresh insight into why the relationship ultimately came to an end despite the deep respect they continue to share.
The acclaimed West End actress spoke candidly while promoting her newly released memoir, The Showgirl and the Prince, revealing that she and the Duke of Edinburgh simply grew in different directions as their lives and careers evolved.
Throughout the interview, Henshall spoke warmly about Prince Edward, describing him as far more than a royal title and praising his character with heartfelt admiration.
She said the Duke of Edinburgh was “not just a prince, he was a prince of a man,” highlighting the respect she still has for him many years after their relationship ended.
Henshall also recalled a memorable conversation in which Edward joked that, “in a perfect world,” he would have two wives—one for royal duties and another for the woman he loved—because he would not want someone he cared about to endure the pressures that came with royal life.
The actress made the remarks during an appearance on Sunday Brunch, where she discussed both her memoir and the challenges she experienced while dating a senior member of the Royal Family.
Their relationship began in 1988 when Henshall was performing in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats. Over the next five years, the couple experienced several breakups before eventually deciding to part ways permanently.
According to Henshall, keeping the relationship out of the public eye became increasingly difficult, while their growing professional commitments gradually pulled them in different directions.
At the same time, her career in musical theatre continued to flourish, earning leading roles in acclaimed productions including Les Misérables, Miss Saigon and Crazy for You, further increasing the demands on her schedule.
Looking back, Henshall admitted that the relationship was always facing significant challenges because balancing the life of a successful actress with the expectations placed on a working royal proved extremely difficult.
During the interview, presenter Tim Lovejoy described the romance as “the impossible relationship” and asked whether it had ever truly stood a chance of lasting.
Henshall responded candidly, saying that it was “never going to work,” acknowledging that the realities of their very different lives eventually outweighed their feelings for one another.
Despite the end of their romance, she revealed that she and Prince Edward have remained in contact over the years, suggesting that their relationship ultimately evolved into one built on mutual respect and friendship.
Her reflections provide a rare glimpse into Prince Edward’s early personal life while also highlighting the unique pressures that often accompany relationships involving members of the Royal Family, where public duty and private happiness do not always go hand in hand.
