New book questions 'happiest divorced couple' image
Nearly 40 years after Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor married in a spectacular royal wedding at Westminster Abbey, fresh claims have cast doubt on the true nature of their famously close post-divorce relationship. The couple, who wed on July 23, 1986, divorced six years later after their marriage was rocked by allegations of infidelity.
Despite their split, Ferguson repeatedly described them as "the happiest divorced couple in the world," insisting they remained united while raising their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Author alleges financial motives
However, royal author Andrew Lownie, in his book, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, argues that the public image of the former couple masked a more complicated reality. He claims their marriage quickly deteriorated and that both Andrew and Ferguson had affairs early in their relationship.
According to Lownie, Ferguson's decision to continue living with Andrew after their divorce was driven by financial and practical considerations rather than romance. He alleges the arrangement allowed her to save money while maintaining royal connections that supported her commercial ventures.
"The reality is the couple very quickly after their wedding were having affairs," Lownie said, adding that their close public relationship helped generate positive headlines despite ongoing personal difficulties.
Scandals revisited
The book also revisits several of the scandals that overshadowed the marriage. It claims Ferguson had a relationship with American businessman Steve Wyatt after meeting him in 1989, while photographs published in 1992 showing the pair on holiday in Morocco intensified speculation about their marriage.
Later that year, Ferguson became the focus of worldwide headlines after photographs emerged of American businessman John Bryan kissing her toes while the pair holidayed in St. Tropez, images that further damaged her public standing.
Lownie also alleges that Andrew was unfaithful during the marriage, citing claims from former staff that the Duke had relationships with multiple women while serving in the Royal Navy.
Mutual convenience
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams has similarly suggested that the former couple's long-running living arrangement at Royal Lodge was one of mutual convenience. He argued that maintaining the image of an unusually close divorced couple benefited both financially and helped preserve their royal status.
Recent reports suggest the pair are now living increasingly separate lives following years of controversy surrounding Andrew's withdrawal from public royal duties. Neither Sarah Ferguson nor Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has publicly responded to the latest claims made in Lownie's book.
