Ruthie Henshall, the multi-award-winning actress known for starring in iconic musicals such as Cats, Miss Saigon, and Les Misérables, has revealed the real reason behind her split from Prince Edward. In a heartbreaking confession, the 59-year-old detailed the challenges of their five-year relationship in her new memoir, The Showgirl And The Prince.
The Romance That Made Headlines
Henshall and Prince Edward dated from 1988 to 1993, when both were in their twenties. They first met when Edward, then 23, was working as a production assistant for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Theatre Company. Their relationship was described as a "passionate affair," with Henshall admitting, "I used to keep him up all night."
However, two years into their romance, the couple made front-page news after being spotted together. This public scrutiny changed the trajectory of their relationship, leaving Henshall feeling as if she were his mistress in what she called a "secret relationship."
The Devastating Split
Both Henshall and Prince Edward were busy with their respective careers, and Edward eventually pulled back from the relationship. Henshall wrote, as reported by the Daily Mail: "I was devastated. We’d tried desperately to make it work. But it seemed impossible because of who he was and what I wanted to do in my career."
She added, "I knew it was over. Looking back, I think I went through a sort of breakdown."
Life After the Breakup
Despite the painful end, Henshall and Prince Edward remained friends. She even attended his wedding to Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, with her then-fiancé, actor John Gordon Sinclair. Henshall later married and divorced Sinclair, while Edward and Sophie have been married since 1999.
Henshall's memoir offers a candid look at the challenges of dating a royal while pursuing a demanding career in the spotlight. The book is set to provide further insights into her life and the five-year romance that captivated the public.
