Ruthie Henshall, the West End actress who dated Prince Edward for five years in the 1990s, has lifted the lid on the Royal Family's infamous 'Balmoral test' in her new autobiography, The Showgirl and the Prince. The 59-year-old revealed details of her visits to Buckingham Palace, tea at Windsor with the late Queen Elizabeth, and her stay at the Scottish estate.
What is the Balmoral Test?
The Balmoral test is a rite of passage for potential royal partners, where guests are invited to the royal family's private Scottish residence. Past invitees include Princess Diana in 1980, Kate Middleton in 2009, and Meghan Markle in 2018. According to royal expert Omid Scobie, the test is more of a 'royal initiation', and not everyone passes. He noted that Diana passed easily due to her aristocratic background, while Cherie Blair and Boris Johnson reportedly did not.
Ruthie's VIP Experience
Speaking on HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast, Henshall said she had no idea what to expect but was treated to the ultimate VIP experience, complete with her own personal maid. Despite the grandeur, she found the family's off-duty behaviour surprisingly down-to-earth, with outdoor cookouts free of protection officers.
She added that King Charles, then Prince of Wales, was on hosting duty, serving potent drinks. 'They were all quite jolly. I think everyone was jolly by the time we'd had a few martinis. Charles was manning the bar. He made me a very strong martini. He probably did that on purpose,' she said.
Expectations of the Test
Guests at Balmoral are expected to have extensive knowledge of royal protocol, keep small talk flowing, and master quick wardrobe changes from muddy hiking gear to black-tie glamour. They must blend in with the family's rugged lifestyle and rapidly changing itinerary. Social etiquette is a must, and guests are advised to eat any food offered and endure Highland weather without complaint.
Royal Folklore
The Balmoral test lives in royal folklore, with Princess Diana's wooing of the Queen and Prince Philip immortalised in Netflix's The Crown. Henshall's memoir details the secretive beginnings of her relationship with Edward and offers a rare insider's view of the royal family's private traditions.
