Prince Edward’s ex-girlfriend, Ruthie Henshall, has revealed she is no longer in contact with Sarah Ferguson, expressing deep disappointment at recent revelations about the former Duchess of York.The West End star, who dated the Duke of Edinburgh for five years during the late 1980s and early 1990s, spoke candidly about her decision to distance herself from Ms Ferguson.
“She was always inviting me to places,” Ms Henshall told Hello!. “If we were all together with the family, she would always bring me into conversations. She was very welcoming, so I find what has come out since disappointing and horrendous.”The actress was unequivocal about her position: “We are not still in touch and I wouldn’t be now.”
Prince Edward’s ex-girlfriend, Ruthie Henshall, has revealed she is no longer in contact with Sarah Ferguson | GETTY
Towards the end of last year, Ms Ferguson faced severe backlash after leaked emails revealed that she had been in regular contact with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and called him her “supreme friend.”This appeared to contradict her public condemnation of him and led to accusations of hypocrisy, costing her multiple charity patronages and business partnerships.In September 2025, a spokesman for Ms Ferguson stated: “The duchess spoke of her regret about her association with Epstein many years ago, and as they have always been, her first thoughts are with his victims.”Ms Ferguson declined to comment when contacted by GB News over Ms Henshall’s comments.
Towards the end of last year, Sarah Ferguson faced severe backlash after leaked emails revealed that she had privately apologised to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and called him her ‘supreme friend’ | GETTY
Ms Henshall’s memoir covers the period before Ms Ferguson’s association with Epstein.During their friendship, Ms Ferguson opened up to Ms Henshall about her difficulties with Palace officials, whom she referred to as “the men in grey” and “the boring old farts”.Ms Henshall reflected that while Ms Ferguson was portrayed as a liability for the Royal Family by the media, she herself would have been “a tabloid wet dream” had her relationship with Edward become public.Prince Edward’s former girlfriend revealed to the Telegraph that the then-duchess advised Ms Henshall to “get out while you can.”
Ruthie Henshall attending Prince Edward’s wedding to Sophie in 1999 | GETTY
These revelations form part of Ms Henshall’s forthcoming memoir, The Showgirl and the Prince, which is set for release on July 16.The 59-year-old actress has chronicled her five-year romance with the Duke of Edinburgh, 62, in what she describes as “a love story set against the backdrop of the Eighties and Nineties of musical theatre”.The book contains intimate details of their relationship, which Ms Henshall felt were necessary for authenticity, telling Hello!: “I hope he won’t blush too much,” adding that she had informed Edward before publication.”He thanked me,” she said. “I didn’t want to blindside him and I wanted to assure him that it wasn’t a kiss and tell. My experience with him and his family was really rather lovely.”
Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh on their wedding day in 1999 | PA
However, the secrecy surrounding their romance took its toll, and after several brief separations, they parted ways permanently: “I don’t think I would have been a very good royal and I could never have sat there watching other people do what I love.”The pair speak by telephone two or three times annually, and she notes that he never forgets to ring on her birthday.”Both our lives moved on, but we have a great friendship,” she said. “I have so much love for him and he has ended up with the right person.”Ms Henshall, who was later engaged to actor John Gordon Sinclair and subsequently married fellow performer Tim Howar, expressed contentment at seeing her former partners find happiness: “I’m a complicated lady to have a relationship with, and so it gives me great joy to see two people I love so dearly still be happy with the perfect person for them.”