A source close to Sarah Ferguson has denied claims that the former Duchess of York is on the verge of signing a major book deal for a tell-all autobiography. The denial comes after reports suggested Ferguson, 66, was just "days away" from reaching an agreement with a publisher, potentially putting the Royal Family on high alert.
Source denies tell-all memoir plans
The source said Ferguson "has no plans to write any tell-all memoir" and is "unaware of any multi-million dollar book deal." The claims emerged as Princess Diana's younger brother, Earl Spencer, made a series of allegations in his new book, Swan Song, Diana, My Sister, which has reportedly sparked a row with King Charles.
Royal historian Andrew Lownie, who spent years researching the lives of Sarah and Andrew for his biography Entitled, believes there could be an ulterior motive behind the reports. "She has been touting a book for months but I'm not convinced she will do it," he told the Mirror, adding: "She will not want to endanger the future of her children."
Historian suggests negotiation tactic
Lownie also claimed: "My instinct she has leaked the story as part of a negotiation with the Royal Family to take care of her. Let us see which publisher confirms the deal – if any." He had previously suggested that Ferguson could be "negotiating" for a "nice pension" in exchange for not taking part in a tell-all interview or publishing a book.
It has also been claimed that Sarah could use a potential book to open up about everything from her marriage to Andrew and her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein to her experiences with other senior members of the Royal Family.
PR experts weigh in on book value
Former BBC royal editor Jennie Bond believes that without the exposé element, the book could prove difficult to sell. She said: "Despite the rumours swirling that she is seriously considering signing a deal, her spokesperson has denied it. At least, to be specific, they denied that she is planning a 'tell-all memoir' – and without the 'tell-all' material, the dollars will not be flowing."
PR and media consultant Chad Teixeira says a book deal could easily "go well into seven figures", particularly "if she is willing to talk properly about Andrew, Epstein and what has gone on behind closed doors in the Royal Family". They added: "That is where the real value is for a publisher."
