Sarah Ferguson was so nervous about meeting her future in-laws that she tripped over one of the Queen's beloved corgis and spilled her drink, a royal biographer claims in a new documentary. Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty magazine, reveals the Duchess's series of awkward faux-pas in tonight's 'When Fergie Met The Monarchy' on Channel 5.
Seward told how Ferguson, then aged around 24, travelled to the Sandringham estate to meet the family of her boyfriend Prince Andrew – a meeting which could make or break their union. Unsure to whom she should curtsey, Seward explained that Ferguson knelt before everyone in order to avoid offence.
Ferguson's parents, Major Ronald Ferguson and Susan Ferguson, had previously been invited for a shoot on the royal estate and had briefed their daughter on etiquette. However, Seward said the young redhead fell victim to nerves. 'When she walked into the sitting room in Sandringham she tripped over one of the Queen's Corgis, and she spilled her drink,' Seward explains. 'And in her fluster she thought, "Who are all these people?" so she just curtsied to everyone.'
After this awkward introduction, Ferguson worked on winning over senior royals, learning to drive carriages with Prince Philip and riding with the Queen. 'She had learned to ride at a very young age and the Queen loves horses and the fact Fergie could accompany her on rides was a huge plus,' said Daily Mail's Editor at Large Richard Kay.
Prince Andrew and Ferguson married on 23 July 1986, but the couple grew apart in the 1990s, leading to separation in 1992 and divorce in 1996. They have remained 'best friends' and still live together at Royal Lodge in Windsor. The documentary also revisits the 'toegate' scandal, where photos of a topless Ferguson with Texan millionaire John Bryan were published, which is believed to have caused her to be shunned by the Royal Family.
