Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew, once dubbed the 'happiest divorced couple in the world', appear to have hit a rough patch. A source has claimed that Sarah is not welcome at Andrew's new home on the King's Sandringham estate, signalling a sharp turn in their famously close bond.
For 20 years, the former Duke and Duchess of York lived together at Royal Lodge, staying under the same roof long after their divorce. They seemed inseparable, often appearing at public events as a duo and supporting each other from the sidelines.
A Bond That Once Seemed Unbreakable
In a 2011 interview, Sarah said: "We have a great love, a great respect, a great understanding. He's an extraordinary human being." She even hinted at remarriage, telling a literature festival crowd in 2013: "He's still my handsome prince. He'll always be my handsome prince."
However, the years since have been marred by scandal after scandal, and revelations from their years-long friendship with the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein proved to be the final straw.
Living Apart After Royal Lodge
Andrew now lives at Marsh Farm, a five-bed farmhouse a world away from the sweeping estate of Royal Lodge. Sarah, meanwhile, is thought to be renting a six-bed gated property in the Home Counties. But it seems unlikely they will be paying each other visits.
A source told The Times that Andrew has distanced himself from Sarah. "The red setter, as she's known, is not welcome at Marsh Farm," they said. "She's persona non grata as far as Andrew is concerned."
But Andrew is far from wallowing in his own company. The same source shared: "Don't believe all that poor Andy crap. He's having a very nice time, thank you very much. He goes out, he goes off shooting with friends, he sees his old chums who are very loyal to him. He's not sitting around feeling sorry for himself any more."
Who Chose to Distance Whom?
That it was Andrew who chose to freeze Sarah out may come as a surprise to some. Earlier this year, ahead of her return to the UK following several months overseas, a source told the Daily Mail that it was Sarah who was keen to carve out her own path away from her disgraced ex. She reportedly told friends: "When I come back, I am going to have to put some distance between myself and Andrew."
The former couple's old home has now come back under scrutiny after it was revealed that King Charles has been forced to settle an eyewatering £1.8 million bill for renovations to Royal Lodge after Andrew was unable to pay. While the former prince had been eligible for £302,000 worth of compensation after his elder brother kicked him out prior to the expiration of the lease, he won't pocket a penny, following an independent assessment of damage and vital repairs to the historic estate, for which he'd been liable.
Legal Battles and Ongoing Investigations
Andrew also recently won a High Court battle over police raids earlier this year at his homes on the Sandringham Estate and Royal Lodge. The late Queen Elizabeth II's middle son was arrested on February 19, his 66th birthday, by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office and questioned for 12 hours. He has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with any offences.
Thames Valley Police has accepted that the search warrants it used were unlawful and have been quashed, the High Court heard at a hearing which Andrew did not attend. Mr Justice Hilliard stated that a "significant error was made" by police as well as an unnamed Old Bailey judge. The criminal investigation remains ongoing, and items seized by officers during the raids will remain with police as the legal challenge continues.
Sarah's Low Profile and Book Deal Denials
As for Fergie, she has kept a relatively low profile following her royal exile, although her spokesperson has recently poured cold water over reports that she is mere "days away" from a seven-figure book deal to "rescue her reputation".
Last month, a source told The Sun: "Sarah wants to set the record straight about everything and earn some money to resolve her financial issues. There has been a secret bidding war, and a deal is close to being secured. The notes are compelling, and the bidders are excited. Fergie is ever the optimist and believes she can be forgiven and welcomed back."
But Sarah's spokesperson said: "There have been no discussions, and she is not writing a personal memoir; it's not what she's going to do."
