Sarah Ferguson: The Royal Family's Turbulent Journey Unveiled

Content: Prior to and following her royal status, Sarah Ferguson, also known as the Duchess of York, has led a life encompassing both periods of public attention and privacy.

Born in London in October 1959, Ferguson is the daughter of Major Ronald Ferguson and Susan Barrantes. After completing a program at Queen's Secretarial College, she made the decision to leave school and pursue employment at an art gallery.

Ferguson and Prince Andrew got engaged in March 1986 and got married in July of the same year at Westminster Abbey. Ferguson took on her husband's royal and ducal status and became the Duchess of York. They had their first daughter, Beatrice, in August 1988, followed by their youngest daughter, Eugenie, in March 1990.

After being together for six years, the couple announced their separation in March 1992 and filed for divorce in April 1996. Despite ending their romantic relationship, they have remained close friends and still reside together at Royal Lodge in Windsor.

"Despite not being a couple, we share a deep belief and trust in each other. The Yorks exemplify a strong and united family bond as demonstrated at the wedding. My commitment lies with him, and I am immensely proud of him. I stand firmly by his side and always will. Our relationship is like a fairy tale; we are content with our current state," Ferguson expressed in an interview with the Daily Mail in November 2018, highlighting their satisfaction with their present circumstances.

Ferguson has also openly shared that the lack of time spent with her husband played a significant role in their decision to divorce.

In an October 2018 interview with Harper's Bazaar, she emphasized the importance of staying committed to your partner, regardless of the circumstances. She advised Kate Middleton to stay with her man and not let him be taken away. Regardless of whether he is a prince or not, she stressed the power of love in keeping a relationship strong. Reflecting on her own experience, she spoke about marrying her prince and sailor because of her deep love for him. She expressed her only condition was to be with him. However, just two weeks after their wedding, courtiers informed Andrew that he needed to go to sea, leaving her alone during her first pregnancy. Despite the challenges, she urged Kate to not let others dictate her emotions, actions, or identity, and to be true to herself.

After the divorce, the producer made diligent efforts to carve out her own journey. Throughout the years, she has authored children’s books, served as a correspondent for Today, secured a Weight Watchers partnership, and engaged in various noteworthy charitable endeavors.

Despite her divorce removing her from the official royal family, Ferguson maintained a strong relationship with the late Queen Elizabeth II. Following the monarch's passing in September 2022, the producer paid homage to her former mother-in-law and attended the funeral.

Ferguson expressed her sadness over the Queen's passing on Twitter, stating that she was heartbroken. She acknowledged the Queen's remarkable legacy, which encompassed a remarkable demonstration of duty, service, and unwavering commitment. As the head of state for over six decades, the Queen served as a constant and stabilizing presence. Ferguson expressed her gratitude for the Queen's continued support and closeness even after her divorce, and admitted that she would deeply miss her, unable to adequately express her feelings in words. Take a glimpse at Ferguson's journey within the royal family by scrolling down.

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Sarah Ferguson's Ups and Downs With the Royal Family: Divorce, Wedding Snubs and More

Before and after royalty! The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, has lived her life both in and out of the spotlight.

Ferguson was born in London in October 1959 to Major Ronald Ferguson and Susan Barrantes. After completing a course at Queen's Secretarial College, she chose to leave school and pursue a job at an art gallery.

In March 1986, Ferguson and Prince Andrew announced their engagement and got married in Westminster Abbey that July. As a result, Ferguson became the Duchess of York and took on her husband's royal and ducal status. In August 1988, their first daughter Beatrice was born, followed by their youngest daughter Eugenie in March 1990.

After being together for six years, the couple made their separation announcement in March 1992 and proceeded to file for divorce in April 1996. Despite ending their romantic relationship, they have managed to maintain a close friendship and currently reside together at the Royal Lodge in Windsor.

"We may not be a couple anymore, but we still hold strong faith in each other. The Yorks remain a united family, and this was evident at the wedding. My duty lies with him, and I couldn't be more proud. I will always stand by him. Our current situation is our own version of a fairytale," Ferguson expressed to the Daily Mail in November 2018. She additionally stated that they are content with their current arrangement.

Ferguson openly stated that her divorce was ultimately caused by the lack of time spent with her husband.

In an October 2018 interview with Harper's Bazaar, she advised Kate Middleton to stay committed to her husband, regardless of his status. She emphasized the importance of love and how it can keep a relationship strong. Ferguson shared her personal experience, stating that she married her husband because she loved him and wanted to be by his side. However, shortly after their wedding, Andrew was instructed to go to sea, which resulted in their separation.

After the divorce, the producer made great efforts to create her own journey. Throughout the years, she has written books for children, served as a correspondent for Today, and secured a Weight Watchers agreement, all while contributing to various charitable endeavors.

After her divorce, Ferguson, although no longer considered a member of the royal family, maintained a close relationship with the late Queen Elizabeth II. Following the monarch's death in September 2022, Ferguson honored her former mother-in-law and attended her funeral. Expressing her grief on Twitter, Ferguson wrote, "I am deeply saddened by the loss of Her Majesty the Queen. She leaves behind an exceptional legacy, exemplifying duty, service, and steadfastness as our head of state for over six decades. I will forever be grateful for her continued closeness and generosity towards me, even after my divorce. Her absence will be deeply felt."

Scroll down for a look back at Ferguson’s ups and downs as part of the royal family:

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Royal Friends

In 1980, Ferguson reconnected with Diana, her fourth cousin. Despite attempts by British tabloids to create tension, the women quickly became close friends. "I had so much love for her," Ferguson expressed to Harper's Bazaar in 2007, ten years after the passing of the beloved princess. "Diana had an unparalleled sense of humor; no one could make me laugh like she did."

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They Do!

The author officially became the Duchess of York when she exchanged vows with Andrew in July 1986, four months after announcing their engagement.

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Family of 3

Princess Beatrice was born in August 1988, marking the joyous arrival of the couple's first child. However, Ferguson experienced challenges during her pregnancy. She struggled with high blood pressure and excessive water retention, leading to her enduring the entirety of her first pregnancy alone. In a 2007 interview with Harper's Bazaar, she revealed that Andrew was serving with the Royal Navy overseas at the time.

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Still Growing

Two years after Beatrice arrived, Princess Eugenie joined the family. While pregnant, Ferguson’s weight fluctuated, leading her to be ridiculed by the U.K. press.

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The Split

The Duke and Duchess of York declared their separation in March 1992 due to rumors of Andrew's infidelity. A statement from the palace mentioned that the Queen wished for the media to respect the privacy of the Duke and Duchess of York and their children during this difficult time.

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Next Chapter

Ferguson immersed herself in philanthropic endeavors, establishing the organization Children in Crisis in 1993. This non-profit, headquartered in London, tirelessly supports underprivileged children and women in impoverished regions of developing countries.

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It's Over

Four years after they called it quits, Ferguson and the Duke of York’s divorce was made final, with the duo agreeing to share custody of their daughters.

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Her Side of the Story

Ferguson delved into the intricacies of her experiences as a member of the royal family in her memoir, My Story, published in 1996. Later, in 2011, she released another autobiography titled Finding Sarah: A Duchess's Journey to Self-Discovery.

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Mental Toll

Following years of negative portrayal by the British press, the author of Little Red contemplated the profound effects of the intense scrutiny on her body image, which consequently triggered the development of her eating disorder.

"It reduced my self-worth to nil, like a speck of dust. Perhaps it was necessary for me to hit rock bottom in order to initiate my journey towards self-restoration," she shared with The Observer in 2002. "Perhaps it was necessary for me to hit rock bottom in order to kickstart my personal transformation."

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Great Gigs

After stepping away from the senior royal spotlight, Ferguson made her mark as a correspondent for the Today show in 2008. As the year unfolded, her two-part film, The Duchess in Hull, captivated audiences when it premiered on the U.K.'s ITV.

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Royally Snubbed

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During William and Kate's wedding ceremony held at Westminster Abbey in April 2011, the absence of the prince's aunt was noticeable. In a recent interview with Town & Country in July 2021, she expressed her thoughts on not receiving an invitation to the family event, stating, "I believed I wasn't deserving enough to attend their wedding."

Similarly, Ferguson was not included in the guest list for Prince Edward's wedding to Sophie, Countess of Wessex in 1999.

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Taking Power Back

A six-episode series titled Finding Sarah premiered in June 2011, giving Ferguson a platform to speak candidly about her struggles like never before.

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Redemption

After missing two significant royal weddings, Ferguson expressed her gratitude for being present at Harry and Meghan's nuptials in May 2018. “It was incredibly thoughtful of them," she shared with Good Morning Britain regarding the Sussexes' ceremony six months later.

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The Next Generation

Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank became parents for the first time in February 2021, welcoming their son August. According to Ferguson, Eugenie's mother, she is a very empathetic individual and will make an excellent mother. She possesses great strength and determination, always seeking the truth in everything she does. Their second child, a son named Ernest, was born in May 2023.

In May 2021, the palace announced that Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi would be expanding the royal family tree with the arrival of their first child later that year. Beatrice gave birth to their daughter, Sienna, in September 2021.

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Honoring the Queen

Following the demise of the queen in September 2022, at the age of 96, Ferguson expressed her condolences through social media. Taking to Twitter, she conveyed her profound sorrow, stating, "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. Her departure leaves behind an unparalleled legacy: an exemplification of extraordinary dedication, service, and unwavering commitment, acting as the unwavering leader of our nation for over six decades."

The Duchess of York expressed admiration for the sovereign's unwavering dedication to serving the people of the U.K. and Commonwealth, describing it as a selfless commitment throughout her entire lifetime. She expressed heartfelt gratitude towards the sovereign for maintaining a close relationship with her even after her divorce, a testament to the extraordinary generosity exhibited. Fondly, she noted that the absence of words would fail to capture the depth of her sorrow and the profound sense of loss she would experience due to this separation.

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Paying Her Respects

Ferguson was among family and friends in attendance at the queen's funeral in September 2022, as were Andrew and their children.

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New Perspective

In a March 2023 interview with Entertainment Tonight, the duchess expressed how the queen's passing granted her a newfound sense of freedom. She emphasized how she is now growing more confident in her own voice, stating that the queen's demise has played a role in liberating her. For over six decades, her purpose has been to remain loyal and uphold Her Majesty's values. However, she acknowledged that Elizabeth was more of a mother to her than her own, and without her presence, she now feels liberated to fully embrace her true self as Sarah and break free from her internal constraints.

Ferguson additionally expressed her gratitude for the profound connection she shared with the queen, describing herself as "fortunate." "Each and every moment I spent in the presence of Her Majesty," she elaborated, "was filled with a sense of profound honor." She enthusiastically proclaimed, "I have been blessed beyond measure, truly."

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Not Fit for the King

In April 2023, it was confirmed by US sources that Fergie was not invited to King Charles III's coronation, scheduled for May 6, 2023. It appears that the guest list has been reduced and the king's former sister-in-law was not included.

Despite his controversial past and association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Ferguson's ex-husband, Andrew, is expected to attend the event. After the 2019 controversy, Andrew was stripped of his titles, but he denied all sexual assault claims against him and reached a settlement out of court in 2022.

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A Health Scare

In June 2023, a representative for the Duchess of York shared that Ferguson had been diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer.  

The spokesperson confirmed that the surgery was successful and the Duchess is currently receiving top-quality medical care. Her doctors are optimistic about her prognosis and she is now in the process of recovering with her family. The Duchess would like to extend her heartfelt gratitude to all the medical personnel who have provided their support during this time.