Royal Author Exposes Andrew's Crude Insult to Ex-Wife Fergie
A royal author has shattered the long-held image of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson as the "happiest divorced couple in the world," alleging that Andrew once hurled a degrading two-word insult at his ex-wife over her appearance during a lunch meeting.
The Alleged Incident at Royal Lodge
Tina Brown, former editor of Vanity Fair and author of the bestselling book The Palace Papers, claims that in 2015, Andrew entered a room at Royal Lodge—his lavish 30-room mansion near Windsor Castle—where Ferguson was dining with an unnamed American media executive. According to Brown, Andrew pointed at Ferguson and asked, "What are you doing with this fat cow?" The executive was reportedly left "stunned" by the remark, perceiving that Ferguson seemed afraid of her ex-husband.
This incident paints a starkly different picture from the public narrative the couple maintained for decades after their divorce in the mid-1990s, which was marred by scandals of infidelity. Despite their split, they remained close, even living together at Royal Lodge until Andrew's recent eviction earlier this year.
Fergie's Struggles with Public Criticism
Ferguson has openly discussed her lifelong battle with weight and the emotional toll of public scrutiny. In a past interview with the Irish Independent, she revealed, "It took courage to go out in public in all the years I have been overweight. Every time there was a 'Duchess of Pork' or 'Fat Frumpy Fergie' headline, they didn't have any idea they were reaching to the depths of my soul." Brown's allegation suggests that such cruel commentary extended into her private interactions with Andrew.
A Symbiotic Yet Strained Relationship
Brown describes the dynamic between Andrew and Ferguson as "symbiotic", rooted in mutual survival rather than affection. She writes, "Whatever the undertow of their curious arrangement, the deal seems to be that he bails her out when she's in trouble, and she backs him up when he's assailed by scandal." This has been evident in Ferguson's repeated defence of Andrew during the sexual assault allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, a victim of Jeffrey Epstein, which Andrew has consistently denied.
In 2021, amid the scandal, Ferguson publicly supported Andrew, calling him a "kind, great man…I feel very strongly that in this day and age that we must stand by our hearts, what we think is right with integrity and honour and loyalty."
Broader Pattern of Alleged Misconduct
This insult is not an isolated incident, according to royal biographers. Andrew Lownie's book, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, alleges a pattern of crude behavior by Andrew, including:
- Using "Do it!" as a catchphrase to bark orders at staff, contrasting sharply with the more respectful treatment by King Charles and the Queen Mother.
- Calling a staff member a "f***ing imbecile" for not using the Queen Mother's full title.
- Engaging in childish pranks, such as tricking guests into clapping with mustard tubes or pushing a dinner companion's face into their meal.
The Shadow of Epstein
The Epstein scandal continues to loom over Andrew and Ferguson, with both having maintained contact with the convicted sex trafficker longer than previously admitted, as revealed in documents released by the US House Oversight Committee. Andrew was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in a public office after emails to Epstein emerged, sharing confidential documents from his role as UK Trade Envoy.
Brown's revelations add another layer to the complex and often troubled relationship between Andrew and Ferguson, challenging the facade of amicability and highlighting deeper tensions within the Royal Family.
