Prince Edward finds himself in an awkward predicament as his ex-girlfriend, a former West End performer, gets ready to release a revealing book about their clandestine five-year relationship—disclosures that may turn out to be “nightmarish” for Buckingham Palace.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who turned 62 on March 10, faces the upcoming July launch of “The Showgirl and The Prince” written by Ruthie Henshall, 59, who was romantically involved with him between 1988 and 1993. Pan Macmillan will publish the work, marketing it as “a funny, intimate and touching memoir.” The publication comes at a time that royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams characterizes as the monarchy’s “most serious crisis since the 1990s.”
Fitzwilliams has delivered an urgent warning to King Charles regarding the possible consequences of this memoir, especially considering the monarchy’s present vulnerable condition. “For courtiers, the potential mix of scandal and stardom may well be nightmarish,” Fitzwilliams stated to the Daily Mail. “If she is as open about their romance as she was on television, just think what it could contain.” He observed that the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are among just four working royals below 70 years of age and carry out essential duties for the Crown, making this timing especially troublesome.
The alert arrives as Fitzwilliams warned that “there will be considerable concern that it will contain intimate insights into their time together and raise fears of another threat waiting to detonate” for the already troubled royal family. King Charles certainly doesn’t need additional attention on yet another brother’s personal affairs entering the public domain.
Prince Edward’s sibling, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, faced arrest on his 66th birthday over suspicions of misconduct in public office. He remained in custody for 11 hours as authorities conducted searches of his Wood Farm residence at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, along with Royal Lodge in Windsor, his previous home, before being released pending further investigation.
Henshall, nominated five times for Olivier Awards and winner of Best Actress in a Musical for “She Loves Me,” has performed in “Chicago,” “Billy Elliot,” “Miss Saigon” and “Cats.” She uncovered old correspondence from Prince Edward while organizing her garage five years back. This discovery inspired her to chronicle their relationship, which started when Edward, at age 23, served as a production assistant with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Theatre Company.
Throughout their courtship, Henshall visited Buckingham Palace in secret and shared tea with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor. Their relationship concluded in 1993 when Henshall decided to focus on her theatrical career. After the affair eventually became public knowledge, the Evening Standard immortalized the situation with its memorable headline: “Prince and the Showgirl.”
Fitzwilliams voiced specific worry regarding Henshall’s forthright statements during her 2020 stint on “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!” when she made surprisingly direct remarks to comedian Shane Richie concerning private encounters with the prince at Buckingham Palace. She additionally shared details of performing musically for the royal family after consuming too many martinis at Balmoral.
Henshall subsequently explained she felt surprised when her remarks were broadcast, having placed her hand over her clip-on microphone while speaking with Richie, not realizing additional microphones were distributed around the camp. She reached out to Prince Edward after the episode aired, though she refused to divulge what they discussed.
Following the end of their affair, Henshall became betrothed to Scottish actor John Gordon Sinclair. This engagement concluded around Prince Edward’s 1999 nuptials, an event both Henshall and Sinclair attended as a couple. She wed Canadian singer Tim Howar in 2004, having two daughters with him, before their marriage ended in early 2010. She has maintained friendly relations with both Prince Edward and his spouse, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.
Notwithstanding the approaching release, Prince Edward continues fulfilling royal obligations. He and Sophie journeyed to Italy to support Team GB at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games, where Edward holds the position of Patron of the British Paralympic Association. The pair observed British competitors in action and connected with team participants.
Prince Edward was granted the Duke of Edinburgh title on March 10, 2023, his 59th birthday, completing a pledge connected to his 1999 marriage, when it was declared he would ultimately inherit the title, subsequently bestowed by King Charles III in 2023. The designation recognized his long-standing commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, constituting one of Prince Philip’s most significant contributions.
The pair resides peacefully at Bagshot Park in Surrey alongside their children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, plus three dogs. Sophie previously lauded her husband as a dedicated father and caring partner in a speech that brought Edward to tears.