Ruthie Henshall and Prince Edward were together for five years before calling it a day on their relationship.10:16, 03 Aug 2026Ruthie Henshall has candidly spoken about her romance with Prince Edward.‌The renowned theatre star appeared on Monday's BBC Breakfast (August 3) to speak about her upcoming memoir, where she delves into her relationship with the royal.‌Speaking to Jon Kay and Sally Nugent, Ruthie explained that she's still in touch with Prince Edward and gave him a heads-up about her book.‌She commented: "I have so many stories from the business and from my time with Edward, it's not a kiss and tell as such, it's more a full, renowned memoir. He just happened to be the love of my life at that time."It was an incredible time to put down on paper. Five and a half years (they were together), we couldn't quite let go because I was wanting a career in musical theatre.‌"In order to be with him, I would've had to give that up, and he knew, and I knew that it was so deeply a passion of mine. So, that was the choice in the end. Then we both found the loves of our lives after that."Sally highlighted that it sounds heartbreaking to have to choose between her career and love, although Ruthie confessed she would not have been well-suited to royal life.She added: "I would've been appalling! I would've been falling out of nightclubs. I don't think I'd have been a very good royal.‌"But you think about it, there's no way I could've had my career because you would have to snifferdog the theatre every night."You'd have to search all the audience, you'd have to search backstage. They wouldn't be able to afford it, or it would've just been a nightmare."‌As Jon stated that Ruthie and Edward have remained friends all these years, the actress shared that they have, revealing that the dress she was wearing was the same she had worn to his wedding back in 1999.Although she confessed that there may be a few moments he blushes in the book, Ruthie told Jon and Sally that he knows she loves him enough as a friend not to put anything untoward in it.Article continues belowShe added, "I believe that not only was he a prince, but a prince of a man. If you look at how he has carried himself, he's still with his wife after 30 years; that's a really beautiful thing."I remember when he had his birthday, and she spoke. You can tell the love between them, and how wonderful it is to have found your person."BBC Breakfast is available to watch on BBC One weekdays from 6am.