Actress Reveals Prince Edward's Royal Marriage Dilemma

West End actress Ruthie Henshall's memoir, 'The Showgirl and the Prince,' discloses intimate details of her past relationship with Prince Edward. Henshall reveals that the Prince once confided in her, stating he wished he could have two wives.

Their romance, which lasted from 1988 to 1993, began when Henshall was starring in 'Cats' and Edward worked for a theatre company. As their relationship deepened, the realities of royal life became apparent to Henshall, who felt torn between her love for Edward and her thriving acting career.

Royal commentators suggest such sentiments were historically common among royal men. Henshall sought advice from Sarah Ferguson, who herself had navigated life within the royal family. Ultimately, Henshall concluded that marrying Prince Edward would necessitate sacrificing her beloved career.

Prince Edward later married Sophie in 1999. Sophie, in turn, transitioned from her public relations career to become a dedicated working royal, now viewed by many as a significant asset to the monarchy. Their children, Lady Louise and James, Earl of Wessex, have opted not to use royal titles.