The Duchess of York is preparing to leave her home of decades, Royal Lodge
Sarah Ferguson in 2024(Image: PA)
Sarah Ferguson, who has not served as a working Royal for nearly three decades following her divorce from Andrew, has released a statement regarding her future beyond Royal Lodge. King Charles has instructed Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, alongside former sister-in-law Fergie, to leave their luxurious Royal Lodge home following fresh disclosures about their extended connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Leaked emails showed Andrew and Fergie had maintained contact with the convicted paedophile billionaire for longer than they had previously acknowledged.
Located close to Windsor Castle, the former couple had occupied the 30-room Grade II listed property for years, but as controversy surrounding them intensified, they have agreed to hand over the keys. Departing Royal Lodge means Sarah is now seeking alternative living arrangements, while Andrew is set to move to accommodation at Sandringham, the King’s private Norfolk estate.
However, her representative has dismissed claims that Sarah might relocate to a granny flat at Princess Beatrice’s residence, telling PEOPLE magazine: “She is assessing a number of options currently, and no final decision has been made.
“Contrary to reports, she has never asked for a property or any provision for herself,” an insider added. “She will continue to forge an independent life,” reports the Mirror.
A second source familiar with Sarah’s situation confirmed she will secure her own accommodation and is “going to move forward independently”. Reports suggest that Sarah will not be relocating to Sandringham, nor accepting her daughter Beatrice’s offer of assistance.
It was previously speculated that Princess Beatrice might step in to provide accommodation for her mother, proposing a converted “cattle shed” on her Cotswolds estate as a potential “granny annex”. The revamped outbuilding, reportedly “stripped out and refurbished with fresh doors and windows”, is situated away from the main six-bedroom house across a courtyard, boasting its own separate entrance.
The Duke lives in the Royal Lodge in Windsor with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson(Image: Roland Hoskins/ANL/REX/Shutterstock)
Another possibility could see Sarah moving to Portugal, where she could live at her other daughter Princess Eugenie’s property in a posh area dubbed the “Hamptons of Europe”. Eugenie owns a £3.6m estate within the exclusive CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club, rubbing shoulders with numerous A-list celebrities including Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Michael Fassbender, and Scarlet Johansson.
Meanwhile, it was reported yesterday that Andrew is seeking a “substantial” house on the Sandringham Estate complete with staff including a cook, gardener, housekeeper, driver, and police security.
The controversy surrounding Sarah has also impacted her professional endeavours. Her forthcoming children’s book has allegedly been “pulped” and removed from shelves by her publisher. The book “Flora and Fern: Kindness Along the Way” was initially set for publication on October 9, before being pushed back to November 20. The title has now been withdrawn from publishing timetables, is no longer obtainable from leading bookshops, and promotional appearances alongside signing events have been quietly scrapped.
Former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond revealed to the Mirror: “As I have mentioned before, for some reason, Andrew and Fergie have been drawn to great riches like moths to a candle.
“Sarah in particular seems to have been totally incapable of living within her means ever since she married into the Royal Family. Part of her money problems stems from her generosity.
“She has always loved to shower people with extravagant gifts, perhaps because of her low self-esteem, she thought it was a way to make them like her.
“As she said herself, she was always striving to be ‘the pleaser’. But both Andrew and Fergie seem to be trapped in a never-ending cycle of chasing wealth, no matter who their quarry is or what morals they hold.
“Now, in their 60s and both in deep disgrace, surely the time has come for them to cut their cloth to suit the money they have, and to live a quiet life without causing further embarrassment to themselves and to the family at large.”
Sarah Ferguson has not been a working royal in almost 30 years (Image: UK Press via Getty Images)
Despite potentially lucrative propositions, Royal commentator Jennie maintains that while “there is no telling what Sarah will do next”. She added: “She has written her side of the story before, and she has clawed her way back from the depths of humiliation and despair. This time, however, I cannot see a way back for her.
“Any friendship with a man as depraved as Epstein is repulsive. To continue that friendship after he was convicted of sex crimes is indefensible.
“To sell her side of the story and take money for talking about Epstein would be equally indefensible. If she has got any sense – and I’m afraid that is up for debate – she will maintain a low profile and live her life quietly out of the public gaze.”