Why Prince Edward Once Said He Wanted “Two Wives” — The Surprisingly Tender Reason Behind His Most Misunderstood Royal Remark
For decades, Prince Edward has cultivated a reputation as one of the British royal family’s most private and low-profile members. Yet a newly resurfaced anecdote from his former relationship has shed fresh light on the emotional burden that comes with royal life—and the unexpectedly heartfelt reason he once joked that, in a “perfect world,” he would have two wives.
The revelation appears in actress Ruthie Henshall’s newly released memoir, The Showgirl and the Prince, in which she reflects on her romance with the future Duke of Edinburgh between 1988 and 1993. During those years, Edward was balancing increasing royal responsibilities while Henshall was building a successful career on London’s West End stage.
According to the memoir, Edward once remarked that, in an ideal world, he would have “two wives”—one to fulfill the demanding obligations of royal life and another to be the woman he truly loved. Far from suggesting a desire for multiple marriages, the comment reflected his belief that the relentless pressures placed on a royal spouse could be deeply unfair to someone he cared about.
At the time, Henshall’s flourishing theater career made the prospect of becoming a full-time working royal especially complicated. The couple reportedly understood that maintaining both a demanding performing schedule and the expectations of life inside the monarchy would be nearly impossible. Security arrangements, public scrutiny, and constant protocol would have dramatically altered her professional life, making the relationship increasingly difficult to sustain.
Their romance ultimately ended in the early 1990s, but both have since moved forward with their lives. Edward later married Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, beginning one of the monarchy’s most enduring modern marriages. The couple, now the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, have often been praised for their steady partnership and relatively understated approach to royal service.
Over the years, Edward and Sophie have gradually taken on more prominent responsibilities within the Royal Family, particularly following the deaths of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. King Charles III granted Edward the title Duke of Edinburgh in 2023, fulfilling a long-standing wish associated with Prince Philip’s legacy.
The couple have also earned recognition for raising their children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, with a comparatively private upbringing. Rather than pushing them toward full-time royal careers, Edward and Sophie have encouraged them to make independent decisions about their futures, reflecting the family’s modern outlook.
Looking back, Edward’s unusual “two wives” remark appears less like a controversial statement and more like an honest acknowledgment of the extraordinary sacrifices demanded by royal life. His words reveal an awareness that loving someone sometimes means wanting to protect them from the burdens you carry yourself.
Years later, that perspective offers an intriguing glimpse into the personal dilemmas faced by members of the monarchy—where duty and private happiness do not always comfortably coexist.
