Fergie's European Escape After Royal Lodge Exit
Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, is reportedly preparing to leave the United Kingdom this winter, swapping life in Windsor for her daughter's luxurious oceanfront mansion on Portugal's Atlantic coast. The 66-year-old is said to be heading to the exclusive Costa Terra resort, often dubbed the 'Hamptons of Europe', where she will settle into a 'grand suite' prepared for her by Princess Eugenie and son-in-law Jack Brooksbank.
A New Home in a Celebrity Hotspot
This significant move comes after Fergie was required to leave Royal Lodge, the Windsor residence she has shared with her ex-husband Prince Andrew since 2008, despite their divorce being finalised in 1996. Unlike Andrew, who is expected to move to a property on the private Sandringham estate in Norfolk, Ferguson will be making her own living arrangements abroad.
A wealthy neighbour of Eugenie and Jack confirmed the plans, stating, 'The word here is that Fergie will be arriving sometime in January'. The duration of her stay remains uncertain, but a source suggested she would fit seamlessly into the local social scene, which has become a magnet for international celebrities.
The Costa Terra Golf and Ocean Club, where the villa is located, is an hour south of Lisbon and has become a haven for Hollywood royalty. High-profile residents and visitors reportedly include Madonna, Scarlett Johansson, and Nicole Kidman, with Kidman said to have applied for Portuguese residency after her split from Keith Urban. Other notable figures such as Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender also spend months at the resort with their family.
Royal Repercussions and a Pampered Prince
This development highlights the diverging paths of the former couple. According to royal biographer Tina Brown, King Charles is not looking to punish his 'pampered' brother Andrew beyond a certain point, believing he cannot 'cope' without a life of luxury and servants. Brown claims the King has an interest in bankrolling Andrew's lifestyle to keep him quiet, suggesting 'if Charles were not to pay his brother’s bills and ensure a certain level of comfort, Andrew would have only his secrets to sell'.
Andrew's banishment to Sandringham is said to have 'evaporated' Fergie's loyalty, now that her 'freebie digs' at Royal Lodge are gone. Tina Brown speculates he will likely end up at a property like Wood Farm, formerly used by Prince Philip, though other options include Park House or the reportedly gloomy York Cottage.
The move will likely please the Prince and Princess of Wales, who recently moved into their forever home in Windsor and will be relieved to no longer have William's errant uncle as a neighbour. Meanwhile, rumours persist that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who remain close to Eugenie and Jack, have also been looking for a property in the same exclusive Portuguese resort as they seek a European base.
Despite its luxury promises, the development has faced local criticism. Many Portuguese residents are upset that the land has been developed exclusively for the super-rich, pricing locals out of the area. The resort itself boasts a wellness centre, an equestrian centre, an 18-hole golf course, and nearly 200 homes, marketing itself as a 'flourishing community and thriving ecosystem' and a 'private European escape' for families.
