There were also concerns over this practice encouraging "unnatural vice", i.e. homosexuality, which reinforced Charles in his decision in 1662 to issue a royal warrant declaring that all female roles should be played only by actresses.

[6] However, there has been much analysis of the early recollections of John Downes, whose memories of the 1660s form a key part of Hughes' claim in this regard.

[7] Hughes was famous for her charms as an actress; diarist Samuel Pepys considered her "a mighty pretty woman",[8] and she was said to be "a great beauty, with dark ringletted hair, a fine figure, and particularly good legs".

Rupert fell in love with her in the late 1660s, although Hughes appears to have held out reciprocating his attentions with the aim of negotiating a suitable settlement.

[11] Hughes lived an expensive lifestyle during the 1670s, enjoying gambling and jewels; Rupert gave her at least £20,000 worth of jewellery during their relationship, including several items from the Palatinate royal collection.

Hughes continued to act even after Ruperta's birth, returning to the stage in 1676 with the prestigious Duke's Company at the Dorset Garden Theatre, near the Strand in London.

The next year Rupert established Hughes in a "grand building" on the Fulham Road in Hammersmith worth £25,000 that he bought from Sir Nicholas Crispe.