Award-winning British actress Ruthie Henshall is set to publish a memoir in July titled The Showgirl and the Prince, revisiting her relationship in the late 1980s and early 1990s with Prince Edward, now the Duke of Edinburgh.
The book, published by Pan Macmillan, draws on Henshall’s personal diaries and letters from that period. According to promotional material from the publisher, the memoir explores her early career in musical theatre alongside her private life, including her romance with Prince Edward before his marriage to Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.
The relationship took place several years before Prince Edward married Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999. Buckingham Palace has not issued a public statement regarding the memoir.
How Ruthie Henshall and Prince Edward Met
Ruthie Henshall rose to prominence in the late 1980s while performing in London’s West End. In 1988, she appeared in Cats, the internationally successful production composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
At that time, Prince Edward had professional interests connected to theatre and television production. After graduating from the University of Cambridge, he briefly worked in theatrical production before founding Ardent Productions in 1993.
According to Henshall’s past interviews, the pair met through mutual connections in the theatre world. Their relationship developed privately before becoming known to the media. British newspapers at the time reported on the relationship, including headlines referencing the contrast between royal life and the entertainment industry.
What the Memoir Will Cover
According to Pan Macmillan’s official description, The Showgirl and the Prince recounts Henshall’s early career ambitions, her experiences in London’s theatre scene, and her romantic relationship with Prince Edward. The memoir is described as personal and reflective, drawing from diaries she began writing in the 1980s.
Henshall has publicly stated in interviews that rediscovering old journals and letters inspired her to document that chapter of her life. She has characterized the relationship as meaningful and formative during her early adulthood.
The publisher notes that the book includes accounts of social occasions connected to royal settings, though no official royal household records have commented on specific private events mentioned in promotional materials.
Prince Edward’s Role Within the Royal Family
Prince Edward is the youngest child of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Following the accession of Charles III in 2022, Edward was granted the title Duke of Edinburgh in 2023.
Throughout his public life, Prince Edward has undertaken official duties in support of the monarch and has been involved in charitable initiatives, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program, which promotes youth development internationally.
His relationship with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, began in the 1990s, and they married in 1999 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. The couple continue to carry out official engagements in the United Kingdom and abroad.
Public Appearances and Media Commentary
Ruthie Henshall has occasionally spoken about her past relationship during television appearances. In 2020, she participated in I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, where she briefly referenced her earlier connection to Prince Edward.
She has also described attending social gatherings connected to royal circles during that period. However, such recollections remain personal accounts rather than official records.
Media coverage surrounding the upcoming memoir has included a range of online reactions. Public commentary on social media platforms reflects varying perspectives, though these opinions do not represent official responses from the Royal Household.
Career After the Relationship
Following the end of her relationship with Prince Edward in the early 1990s, Henshall continued to build a successful theatre career. She received critical acclaim for performances in major West End productions including:
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Chicago
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Billy Elliot the Musical
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Oliver!
In addition to theatre, she has appeared on British television, including serving as a judge on Dancing on Ice. In 2024, she joined the cast of Coronation Street, one of the United Kingdom’s longest-running television dramas.
Her professional accomplishments in musical theatre remain the foundation of her public profile.
Royal Privacy and Memoirs
Books written by individuals with connections to members of the Royal Family often generate media interest. However, the Royal Household typically does not comment on personal memoirs unless official clarification is required.
Memoirs are considered personal narratives and reflect the author’s perspective. As such, they are distinct from official biographies or historical records produced by royal archives.
No public statement from Buckingham Palace has indicated that the manuscript has been reviewed by royal officials.
Context and Public Interest
The British Royal Family continues to attract global attention, particularly during periods of transition following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and the early years of King Charles III’s reign.
While memoirs linked to royal figures sometimes prompt debate, they also contribute to broader public interest in British cultural history, particularly when intersecting with well-known public careers in the arts.
Ruthie Henshall’s book focuses on a relationship that occurred more than three decades ago, prior to Prince Edward’s marriage and current role within the monarchy.
Conclusion
The Showgirl and the Prince will offer Ruthie Henshall’s personal reflections on her early career and her relationship with Prince Edward during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Published by Pan Macmillan, the memoir draws on diaries and letters from that period.
Prince Edward, now Duke of Edinburgh, continues to serve as a working member of the Royal Family alongside Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. Buckingham Palace has not issued official comment regarding the memoir.
As with all autobiographical works, the book represents the author’s individual recollections rather than an official account. Its publication adds to the ongoing public fascination with both British theatre history and the personal stories connected to the Royal Family.