Dive into the charming and poignant real-life Cinderella story of West End and Broadway star Ruthie Henshall in this honest and touching memoir. Discover the journey of a lycra-clad chorus girl from Bromley navigating a secret relationship with Prince Edward while fiercely pursuing her leading role dreams in 1980s and 1990s London.

• Candid memoir from celebrated performer Ruthie Henshall.
• Recounts a seminal period balancing a secret royal relationship with a burgeoning theatre career.
• Packed with hilarious backstage stories from major musicals including Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, and Crazy for You.
• Offers a glimpse into the glamour and gossip of 1980s and 1990s London theatre scene.
• Explores the bittersweet joy of first love against the backdrop of high society and the West End.

Ruthie Henshall, starting as a chorus girl in Cats, recounts meeting Prince Edward in 1988. The book details her experiences navigating tea at Windsor with the Queen and charm sessions with Prince Philip at Balmoral, all while striving for leading roles. It captures the era when she swapped hotpants for Laura Ashley frocks.

• Author: Ruthie Henshall
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Publication Date: July 16, 2026
• Pages: 352 pages
• ISBN-13: 978-1035097685
• Dimensions: 16.4 x 3.3 x 24.5 cm
• Weight: 596 g
• Reading Age: 18 years and up

For aspiring actors and theatre enthusiasts, The Showgirl and the Prince offers an entertaining and intimate look at ambition, romance, and the golden era of musical theatre.