ITV's gripping royal true crime drama, The Lady, has thrust Sarah Ferguson's life back into the public eye, with viewers captivated by its dramatised portrayal of her personal struggles in the 1990s. The four-part series, starring Natalie Dormer as Ferguson, delves into the story of Jane Andrews, her former dresser convicted of murder, while offering a tantalising glimpse behind the royal curtains.
Who Is The American Referenced in the Drama?
In the opening episode, a staff member points out Ferguson's companion at an event, describing him as "her new friend, the American." This cryptic reference has sparked curiosity among audiences, with historical evidence suggesting it points to Steve Wyatt, an American businessman and art dealer.
Wyatt, the son of late Texas oil tycoon Oscar S Wyatt Jr., reportedly met Ferguson at the Houston Grand Opera's British Opera Festival in Texas during the early 1990s. Despite Ferguson being pregnant with Princess Eugenie at the time, they formed an immediate and intense bond.
The Impact on Ferguson's Marriage
David Leigh, co-author of Ferguson's biography, has asserted that Wyatt was the "main reason for the breakdown" of her marriage to Prince Andrew. He explained that Ferguson encountered Wyatt during a period of profound loneliness, feeling unsupported by her husband.
"She went to Texas and she met a very handsome and rich Texan who was very attentive and loving and they very quickly fell in love," Leigh wrote. "Andrew may have been her best friend, and he probably still is now and probably always will be, but Steve Wyatt was the love life of her life."
Scandal and Royal Disapproval
Their relationship was far from discreet, with the pair frequently seen together in public. Ferguson even invited Wyatt to the Dance of the Decades at Buckingham Palace to celebrate Prince Andrew's birthday, further fuelling rumours.
The scandal escalated in May 1990 when, just six weeks after giving birth to Princess Eugenie, Ferguson flew to Morocco on a private jet with Wyatt and her one-year-old daughter, Princess Beatrice. A photograph from the trip showed Beatrice sitting on Wyatt's knee, causing a media frenzy.
The Lady depicts the late Queen Elizabeth II confronting Ferguson about the affair, with a teary-eyed Ferguson confessing to Jane Andrews: "Her Majesty knew everything about the American and me. She says I'm to cease all contact immediately before I bring disgrace on the family."
The End of the Affair and Separation
Their relationship ultimately unravelled in March 1992 when Wyatt became engaged to Cate Magennis, leading to their separation. Around the same time, Ferguson and Prince Andrew announced their official separation, marking a tumultuous period in her life.
While The Lady is based on real events, it is important to remember that the series is a dramatisation, and not all depicted details should be taken as factual. The show offers a compelling, albeit fictionalised, exploration of the pressures and personal conflicts within the royal family during that era.
The Lady is currently available for streaming on ITV and ITVX, inviting audiences to judge the portrayal for themselves.
