Olivier Award-winning performer Ruthie Henshall has shared intimate details of her five-year romance with Prince Edward, asserting that he was Queen Elizabeth II's favorite child. Henshall, 59, recounted her relationship with the prince, which began in 1988 when Edward was 23 and had transitioned from the Royal Marines to work in the West End theatre industry.

According to Henshall, both the late Queen and Prince Philip initially had reservations about Edward's career choice. However, they eventually gave their approval, particularly as Edward had developed a passion for the performing arts during his time at Cambridge University. Henshall and Prince Edward grew closer while she was involved in an Andrew Lloyd Webber stage production, with the prince serving as her primary contact. He later invited her to Buckingham Palace to watch the 1954 film "A Star Is Born."

Henshall described the evening at the Palace as a "pinch me moment," recalling the "beautiful" food and wine and Edward's gentlemanly demeanor. She admitted her mind was racing during the film, but noted that a shared moment of touching hands towards the end of the evening marked the beginning of their relationship. Their first kiss occurred approximately three months later.

Following this, Henshall and Prince Edward maintained a private, on-again, off-again relationship for five years. Henshall stated she was warmly welcomed by the wider royal family, spending time with them at Windsor and during a stay at Balmoral, which included an outdoor cookout. She met Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on several occasions. Henshall recalled the Queen complimenting her singing voice after she performed "I Dreamed a Dream" for the family.

Henshall’s assertion that Edward was the Queen’s favorite contradicts the common perception that Prince Andrew held that position. "People talk about Andrew having been the Queen's favourite: I don't think that's correct at all," Henshall stated. "Her face lit up whenever Edward came into a room."

The relationship concluded amicably in 1993, as Henshall realized she would need to choose between her burgeoning career and a potential life as a royal wife. She explained that Edward had indicated their continued relationship would necessitate her leaving the stage, as her theatre career involved nightly security screenings for audiences and backstage areas.

The pair ultimately drifted apart. Prince Edward began a new relationship with Sophie Rhys-Jones, now the Duchess of Edinburgh, later that same year. Henshall reflected on their time together, calling Edward "the love of my life." She also acknowledged the challenges faced by those married into the royal family.

"When people ask me what the royal family are like, I remember something that Edward said to me," Henshall shared. "He said: 'In a perfect world, you would want two wives. One for the job and one you love, because putting the one you love through the job seems wrong.'"

Henshall elaborated on the perceived division within the royal family, suggesting it stems from the performance of their public duties versus their private lives. "There is a job to be done, and I think that's why there's a sort of divide. We see the royals doing their jobs, we don't see them behind closed doors," she said. "I think we need to remember that, they have a duty and the Queen, she put that front and centre. Her duty was to this country. So, they were brought up like that."

She concluded by reflecting on her own suitability for royal life, stating, "I think I would have been a good wife for the job until I wasn't… I would not have been able to keep it up. That's a hell of a job. To be judged, to be looked at, to be one of the most famous women on Earth."

Henshall's memoir, "The Showgirl and the Prince," is currently available for purchase.