# Prince Edward memoir revelations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/prince-edward-memoir-revelations > Updated: 2026-08-02T11:42:51.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3. Actress Ruthie Henshall’s memoir, titled “The Showgirl and the Prince,” slated for publication on 16 July 2026, recounts her five‑year secret romance with Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, from 1988 to 1993. The book describes how they met when Edward, then a 23‑year‑old production assistant on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats, visited the New London Theatre where Henshall was starring. Their liaison included visits to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, handwritten letters on palace‑letterhead, a first kiss in the palace cinema, and a humorous moment when Henshall unintentionally shook Queen Elizabeth II’s hand. Henshall also notes quirky details such as “HRH Edward” stitched into his underwear. While the memoir touches on her own childhood sexual‑abuse trauma and trichotillomania, its focus remains on the royal relationship, which ended in 1993 because of Edward’s princely duties and her career. In a later interview, Edward confirmed that he once found the persistent gay‑rumour speculation amusing but has grown weary of the relentless media intrusion, emphasizing that his frustration is with the intrusion, not with any prejudice toward homosexual people. Henshall said they have remained in contact and that she warned Edward before the book’s release. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-02: Prince Edward’s former partner Ruthie Henshall details breakup in new memoir Ruthie Henshall, ex‑girlfriend of Prince Edward, told Sunday Brunch that their secret five‑year romance ended because “he’s a prince and you’ve got a great career,” as she promotes her memoir. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/prince-edwards-former-partner-ruthie-henshall-details-breakup-in-new-memoir ### 2026-07-18: Prince Edward says he grew weary of long‑standing gay rumors Prince Edward, brother of King Charles III, says he grew tired of constant gay rumours after leaving the Royal Marines for theatre, according to ex‑partner Ruthie Henshall. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/prince-edward-says-he-grew-weary-of-longstanding-gay-rumors ### 2026-07-03: Prince Edward’s past romance with West End star Ruthie Henshall detailed in new memoir Ruthie Henshall’s new memoir reveals her five‑year secret romance with Prince Edward, detailing meetings at Buckingham Palace, handwritten letters, and a forgotten curtsy to the late Queen. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/prince-edwards-past-romance-with-west-end-star-ruthie-henshall-detailed-in-new-memoir --- Cite as: Prince Edward memoir revelations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/prince-edward-memoir-revelations