Since she divorced Prince Andrew almost 30 years ago, Sarah Ferguson has still been welcome at royal events. She retained her Duchess of York title and lived a lavish life alongside her ex-husband in their 30-room mansion in Windsor. They lived at different ends of the impressive home.
However, when Andrew, 65, relinquished his titles ahead of the release of Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, Sarah, 66, also lost the right to call herself a duchess. This left her just plain old Fergie.
“I’m told she has been on the edge of a nervous breakdown,” says royal biographer Phil Dampier, speaking exclusively to Woman’s Day.
“Her older sister Jane has recently flown over from Australia to comfort her in the UK. “Sarah’s in a bad way and it’s hardly surprising. She needed support and Jane has been there for her. “She and Andrew know they are to blame, but they still feel they are now being kicked mercilessly when they are down. It’s difficult to see what the future holds.”
Now the exes, who maintained an amicable relationship despite their 1996 divorce, are said to be fighting constantly.
“Sarah and Andrew have turned on each other,” another insider claims.
“She’s telling anyone who’ll listen that Andrew pushed her to reach out to Jeffrey Epstein for financial help years ago and she’s paying the price for his mistakes. “Andrew denies that and says Sarah was always too greedy – never satisfied with what they had, and that she lived beyond her means and dragged him into one scandal after another. “Their fights have become constant, and it’s now getting so ugly that even Bea and Eugenie are stepping back from them.”
Still at Royal Lodge despite the scandal
The disgraced former couple are still living at Royal Lodge, although Andrew hasn’t paid rent for 20 years.
“It seems only a matter of time before the King evicts them and they’re forced out,” our insider says.
While it’s thought Andrew wants to remain at the sprawling estate, Fergie is desperate to leave it all behind.
“Sarah is at her wits’ end,” we’re told.
“She’s desperate to get away from it all and fly under the radar. “Moving out of Royal Lodge is increasingly appealing – and if the King has his way, she and Andrew will be forced to leave anyway. It’s unclear how either of them would afford to go elsewhere, but she’s keen to get away to clear her head. “She hates the idea of skulking around the estate with her head down and her tail between her legs. It’s a lonely existence.”
Exiled from the royal family, their home and scrabbling around for cash, it looks increasingly likely the pair may flee overseas. This would help them avoid the intense scrutiny they’re facing in the UK.
“Andrew would be better off starting a new life in exile, maybe in the Middle East, where he has friends, or Portugal, where Eugenie lives much of the year,” says veteran royal reporter Phil.
“Sarah would probably join him as there is nothing left for either of them in the UK.”
What will happen to Beatrice & Eugenie?
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are “mortified by the headlines”, a family source tells Woman’s Day.
“They love their mum and dad – and they always will – but it’s difficult for them to process that their parents lied about their association with Epstein for years.”
A newly leaked email claims Fergie took Bea, now 37, and Eugenie, 35, to visit Epstein. This was when he was released from prison in 2011.
“They’ve yet to address those claims,” says our insider.
“It’s causing even more anxiety as they’re feeling like they’ve been dragged into this mess. “It could have rather damaging implications, both personally and professionally. Even if they were only acting out of duty to their mother, it’s still a terrible look.”
At the moment, their daughters are Andrew and Fergie’s “only saving grace”, says Phil.
“They have always been good parents. There is public sympathy for the girls. “They are both happily married mothers and their parents must take credit for that.”
