‘Nightmare’ for Prince Edward as ‘intimate’ stories set to be exposed

Prince Edward’s former lover is likely to disclose ‘intimate insights’ about their relationship in her memoir.

prince edward

Ruthie’s book ‘might cause concern’ with the Palace (Image: Hannah McKay – Pool/Getty Images)

Prince Edward’s ex-girlfriend is likely to disclose “intimate insights” about their relationship in her upcoming memoir. Ruthie Henshall’s ‘The Showgirl and The Prince’ will document their secret on-and-off romance between 1988 and 1993.

Reports state she was inspired to write the book after finding old love letters written to her by the Duke of Edinburgh during their five year-relationship. A royal commentator said: “If she is as open about their romance as she was on television, just think what it could contain.”

During her stint on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2020, Ruthie spoke about Prince Edward to campmates. She married Canadian singer Tim Howar in 2004. The pair, who share two daughters, divorced in early 2010.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail: “There will be considerable concern that it will contain intimate insights into their time together.”

He added: “It will likely cause much concern at the Palace. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are two of only four members of the Royal Family under 70 and do invaluable work. He will now be drawn into the line of fire at a time when the monarchy faces its most serious crisis since the 1990s.”

The potential revelations will come shortly after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on his 66th birthday back in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The former prince spent 11 hours in custody while officers searched his property at Sandringham before he was released under investigation.

Ruthie Henshall

Ruthie also appeared on I’m A Celebrity (Image: Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

The Duke of Edinburgh and Ruthie dated from 1988 to 1993, after they crossed paths when Prince Edward, then 23, was working for Andrew Lloyd Webber.

She told the Telegraph: “I found old diaries which I began writing in the 1980s and then found all my letters from Prince Edward, and I was struck by how precious this time in my life was.”

“I was on the West End stage – my dream since I was a girl – and shared a love with a man very few people even know. If this was someone else’s story, I would think they had made it up. So here it is – a look behind the curtain of a crazy life in musical theatre and what happens next when a showgirl falls in love with a prince.”

It is unknown whether any members of the Firm were given a preview of the book, which will be published in July.