Are they on or are they off? We all love a ‘retake on romance’ story and there’s no couple that offers us more hope than Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew.
The Duke and Duchess of York divorced in 1996 but have always remained close friends. They even share the same home, Andrew’s residence, Royal Lodge at Windsor, and in 2015 bought a luxury ski chalet in Verbier, Switzerland together.
Fergie has always maintained that they’re simply the “happiest divorced couple in the world”, but do we buy it?
There are lots of factors that suggest otherwise, starting with the family holiday in Bahrain with Princess Beatrice and her boyfriend that they’ve just returned from, which sparked fresh rumours that they’re indeed a couple.
Watch: The yo-yo life of Fergie, Duchess of York. Article continues below.
It was the first foreign royal visit that Fergie has accompanied Prince Andrew on in 25 years – that’s rather significant – and the pair were said to appear ‘virtually inseparable’.
Prince Andrew traveled to Bahrain to attend a series of official engagements, and Fergie joined him at the end (reportedly paying for her own flights). They were welcomed as guests of the Crown Prince of Bahrain at the Ritz Carlton Hotel and spent the day together at the Bahrain Grand Prix with Beatrice.
Fergie has denied rumours that they’ve rekindled their romance, with a spokesman saying, “The Duke and Duchess of York continue to be good friends and nothing has changed in their relationship”, the Sun Online reported.
And on social media she was careful to frame the time as “family time”, posting on Instagram “Such a joy to be invited to attend the Bahrain Grand Prix with @hrhthedukeofyork and Beatrice. Excited to meet @frankiedettori_ #familytimes @f1 #luckyme (sic)”
But what of the fact the Queen has welcomed Fergie back into the fold after so many years left out in the cold? Fergie was notably a guest at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’ wedding last year (although the invitation didn’t extend to the reception at Frogmore House afterward). She had famously been left off the guest list for Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in 2011.
We also know that Fergie often stays with Her Majesty at Balmoral Castle during the summer.
It’s said that in the early stages of Fergie and Andrew’s romance, Fergie and the Queen bonded over their love of horses – and that all the Queen wants is for her son to be happy.
Fergie with daughter Beatrice and Prince Andrew at the Royal Ascot in 2018.
Image: Getty Images
When Fergie and Andrew legally separated in February 1992, the reason Fergie effectively gave for their marriage ending was that her husband was never home.
It wasn’t irreconcilable differences, or that the relationship had simply run its course.
Andrew’s demanding naval career had meant the couple only saw each other for around 40 days per year, and anyone who has raised a young family will know how much pressure that puts on a relationship.
Fergie told Harper’s Bazaar, “I spent my entire first pregnancy alone. When Beatrice was born, Andrew got 10 days of shore leave.”
It sounds like their marriage didn’t stand a chance when you also factor in the pressure that comes with being part of the royal family.
Over the past few years they’ve had more time and opportunity to nurture their relationship, out of the spotlight.
Fergie and Prince Andrew were married in 1986.
A few months after they separated in 1992, Fergie was photographed in a compromising position with American businessman John Bryan. The photos were made public, marking the biggest royal scandal the royal family had seen for some years. It is said that Prince Philip never forgave Sarah for humiliating his son and embarrassing the family.
Royal insiders insist that Prince Philip is the real reason couple has not declared they’re back together.
But even he is showing signs of thawing, attending the wedding of Fergie and Andrew’s daughter, Princess Eugenie, in October last year and allowing photographers to capture images of him with Fergie for the first time in 26 years.
Some predict the pair will remarry, despite Sarah insisting as recently as last November, “We’re so happy with the way we are right now. We enjoy each other’s company; we allow each other to blossom. I know it sounds like a fairy tale but that’s the way we are.”
If they do remarry, it will be one of the greatest royal love stories of all time.
