Royal biographer Andrew Lownie has cast doubt on reports that Sarah Ferguson would inherit part of her ex-boyfriend Paddy McNally's £600 million fortune. Speaking on Jeremy Kyle's TalkTV show, Lownie said he has changed his view after speaking to sources, and now believes the Duchess of York will receive nothing from the late multi-millionaire racing tycoon.
McNally died at the age of 88 earlier this week. Earlier reports suggested he had continued to support Ferguson after her split from Prince Andrew, allowing her to stay in his £15 million Swiss chalet after her eviction from Royal Lodge, and possibly including her in his will.
Biographer's change of view
Lownie explained: 'I’ve changed my view on [the McNally claims], having talked to some sources. I don’t think she’ll get anything from Paddy McNally.'
He added: 'I think he was a wily old bird. He was very keen for his money to go to good causes, so it wouldn’t be tarnished by his link to her. So I don’t think she’s going to get anything from McNally, having understood last week that she might.'
Potential impact on the Royal Family
Kyle noted that McNally was 25 years older than Ferguson and never wanted to marry her, but remained a steadfast support. Lownie claimed the plans for McNally's money 'don’t involve Sarah Ferguson', which might be 'slightly worrying for the Royal Family' as it means Ferguson could publish books or produce documentaries about their inner circle.
Earlier, a source told The Sun: 'Paddy always looked after Sarah, and at times over the past four decades, she needed a lot of looking after. He never abandoned her in life and, even in his final days, he allowed her safe sanctuary at his home in Verbier.'
