Prince Edward, the late Queen Elizabeth II's youngest son, once introduced himself as "the runt of the litter" to West End performer Ruthie Henshaw, sparking a secret six-year romance, according to Henshaw's new memoir.
Secret Romance Revealed
Henshaw, a theatre performer known for her role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats, met Edward backstage at the musical. She told the Radio Times: "I gave him my best smile and said, 'Welcome to the litter.' 'I'm the runt,' he said, making me laugh. And I thought, you are not what I expected."
The couple's relationship lasted from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, during which time Henshaw was invited to tea with the Queen and Prince Philip at Balmoral. However, Edward warned her about the difficulties of royal life, advising her to "get out while you can."
Edward's Approval for Memoir
Henshaw's book, The Showgirl And The Prince, details the romance, including intimate moments. She writes: "He undressed me and took me to his bed and we made love for the first time. He was romantic and gentle and definitely NOT GAY! And he definitely had experience."
Edward gave his approval for the memoir. Henshaw said: "He was very generous and said, 'You have a right to tell your story.'" She also reflected on the royal family, saying: "I come from a dysfunctional family, and I'm sure they are a dysfunctional family. My respect for them is huge because of the way they treated me, and also because they were a family behind closed doors."
Background on Prince Edward
Edward, who was fifth in line to the throne at the time, enjoyed more anonymity than his siblings. He had quit the Royal Marines in the 1980s to work in theatre, leading to rumours about his sexuality. Henshaw, however, was never in doubt about his love for women.
The couple split in the mid-1990s, and Henshaw's memoir is now available. The story sheds light on a little-known chapter in the life of the Duke of Edinburgh, who has largely stayed out of the spotlight.
