BREAKING — PRINCE EDWARD FINALLY ADDRESSES YEARS OF RUMOURS ABOUT HIS SEXUALITY AFTER HIS UNEXPECTED CAREER CHANGE…

Prince Edward’s Former Girlfriend Opens Up About the Rumours That Followed His Career Change

For decades, Prince Edward has maintained a reputation as one of the British Royal Family’s most private and understated members. Long before he married Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, however, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II found himself at the center of intense public speculation after making an unexpected career move that broke with royal tradition.

Now, his former girlfriend, West End star Ruthie Henshall, has reflected on that period of his life, revealing how unfounded rumours about his sexuality began—and how Edward responded behind the scenes.

A Controversial Change in Direction

In 1986, Prince Edward joined the Royal Marines, following a path that had long been associated with members of the Royal Family. However, his military career ended much sooner than expected when he withdrew from the demanding commando training course after just four months.

The decision attracted significant media attention at the time, but it was what came next that surprised even more people.

Rather than pursuing another traditional royal role, Edward entered the entertainment industry, working as a production assistant for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Theatre Company. He later founded his own television production company, Ardent Productions, in 1993, marking one of the most unconventional career choices ever made by a senior royal.

According to Ruthie Henshall, it was this move into show business that unexpectedly fueled widespread speculation.

Ruthie Henshall Reflects on Their Relationship

Speaking on HELLO! magazine’s A Right Royal Podcast, Ruthie, who dated Prince Edward for five years during their twenties, recalled how the rumours began shortly after he entered the theatre world.

“When he came out of the Marines, he went into showbiz, and then people thought he therefore must be gay. That was how the rumours started,” she explained.

The actress said Edward initially refused to let the gossip affect him.

According to Ruthie, the prince would simply “roll his eyes and just laugh about it,” treating the speculation with humor rather than frustration.

She also emphasized that Edward never viewed the rumours as something worth becoming upset over.

Comfortable in His Own Skin

Ruthie suggested that Edward’s relaxed attitude stemmed from his genuine acceptance of others.

Without revealing too much about their private life, she noted that one of Edward’s staff members was openly gay and that the prince never had any issue with anyone’s sexuality.

“He had no problem with anybody being gay. Not around him,” she said.

Her comments paint the picture of someone who preferred to ignore baseless speculation rather than publicly challenge it.

A Different Chapter

Prince Edward’s relationship with Ruthie eventually came to an end before he met Sophie Rhys-Jones, whom he married in 1999. More than two decades later, Edward and Sophie remain one of the Royal Family’s longest-standing couples and are widely regarded as two of its most dependable working royals.

Looking back, Ruthie’s reflections offer a rare glimpse into a lesser-known chapter of Edward’s life, highlighting the intense scrutiny he faced as a young royal trying to forge his own path outside traditional expectations.

Although the rumours generated headlines at the time, Edward chose not to engage with them publicly. Instead, he continued building both his professional career and his personal life, eventually settling into the quiet, steady role within the monarchy for which he is best known today.