The central reason Sarah Ferguson has stepped away from public life appears to be less about disappearance and more about protection, specifically protecting her children and grandchildren from renewed scrutiny tied to her past association with Jeffrey Epstein, according to multiple reports and family comments cited across UK and US media outlets.
After months of speculation about her whereabouts, the former Duchess of York, 66, was recently seen in the Austrian Alps, marking her first public sighting since September 16, 2025, when she attended the funeral of the Duchess of Kent in London.
© Chris JacksonFollowing Andrew’s legal troubles in 2026 and his removal from royal duties, Ferguson has largely stepped out of public view. She had not been seen since late 2025
But according to her cousin-by-marriage, Martin Barrantes, who spoke to The Daily Mail, her decision to remain out of the spotlight has a clear family focus. He said she has stepped back entirely “to protect her children and her grandchildren.”
Barrantes, who said he spoke with Ferguson “around three months ago,” is the first family member to publicly explain her current approach to the situation.
© Aaron Chown – PA ImagesFerguson’s daughters are raising young children of their own. Eugenie shares two sons, August and Ernest, with Jack Brooksbank, while Beatrice has two daughters, Sienna and Athena, and is also a stepmother to her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi’s son.
Barrantes also emphasized her emotional state, telling the outlet that “Sarah is going through a difficult moment, and I wanted to send her our support; she is a valued member of our family.” He added that she appeared to be in “good spirits,” despite the pressure surrounding the Epstein-related controversy resurfacing in public reporting.
His comments were echoed by his brother, Raphael Barrantes, who told the publication that Ferguson “loves her children more than anything and will do anything for them.”
That theme of protection has been consistently reinforced across reporting from multiple outlets. According to People, sources close to the family say Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have been focused on shielding their own children from the fallout.
© Max Mumby/IndigoHer retreat has also unfolded alongside significant changes in her and her former husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s, royal status.
One insider told People that the sisters are trying to “stay away” from the controversy, adding that their priority is protecting their young families from public attention linked to their parents.
Ferguson’s daughters are raising young children of their own. Eugenie shares two sons, August and Ernest, with Jack Brooksbank, while Beatrice has two daughters, Sienna and Athena, and is also a stepmother to her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi’s son. This family structure has become central to how those close to Ferguson describe her motivations for staying out of public view.
© Max Mumby/IndigoAfter months of speculation about her whereabouts, the former Duchess of York, 66, was recently seen in the Austrian Alps, marking her first public sighting since September 16, 2025.
Her retreat has also unfolded alongside significant changes in her and her former husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s, royal status. Both surrendered their Duke and Duchess of York titles in October 2025, and Andrew later lost additional royal privileges after King Charles removed his remaining honors. The couple also left Royal Lodge, their long-time Windsor residence.
The timeline of events intensified further when a batch of Epstein-related documents referenced both Ferguson and Andrew. Within weeks, Ferguson’s public appearances stopped entirely, and her location became unclear until she was reportedly traced to a private chalet in the Austrian Alps.
© Daniele VenturelliThe central reason Sarah Ferguson has stepped away from public life appears to be less about disappearance and more about protection
According to The Sun, she has been staying in a quiet mountain resort described as an ideal place to avoid attention. A source told the outlet, “Fergie has been keeping an incredibly low profile while high up in the Alps. The area is absolutely beautiful, and it’s very quiet most of the time, so it’s the perfect place for a high-profile figure such as her to lie low when the heat is on.”
Beyond location, Ferguson has reportedly been focusing on her well-being, turning to meditation, holistic therapies, and a small support network of close friends. These efforts appear consistent with a broader attempt to maintain emotional stability while remaining out of public view.