Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, finds her future increasingly uncertain as she confronts a pressing housing crisis and the ongoing care of the late Queen Elizabeth II's beloved corgis.
A Home in Question
At 66, Sarah Ferguson's living arrangements have become a subject of intense public speculation. Both she and her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, have been ordered to vacate Royal Lodge, the Windsor mansion they have shared since 2008. This directive came alongside the stripping of their royal titles, plunging Fergie's immediate future into doubt regarding where she will live and how she will manage financially.
Adding to the complication are the two corgis, Sandy and Muick, which Sarah inherited following the Queen's passing in September 2022. The dogs had become additional residents at Royal Lodge, and while Buckingham Palace has indicated they will "stay within the family," their specific future home remains unconfirmed amidst the couple's eviction.
A Spiritual Connection with the Corgis
Earlier this year, Sarah Ferguson made a surprising and heartfelt claim about her bond with the late monarch's pets. During an appearance at the Creative Women Platform Forum in London in May, she shared an extraordinary belief with the audience.
"I have her dogs, I have her corgis," Sarah stated. "Every morning they come in and go 'woof woof' and all that, and I'm sure it's her talking to me. I'm sure it's her, reminding me she's still around."
Amid laughter from the crowd, she continued, reflecting on the honour of her former role: "Anyway, the real thing is that I had the greatest honour to be her daughter-in-law. That's pretty huge." She also mentioned being reminded of the Queen's legacy upon seeing the Elizabeth Line, urging everyone to remember "what an amazing lady she was."
Sarah has previously described caring for the corgis as a "big honour," noting that the animals are "national treasures" who had been "taught well."
New Beginnings and a Granny Annexe
With their imminent departure from Royal Lodge, the ex-couple's paths are diverging. Prince Andrew is reportedly relocating to a property on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, but his ex-wife will not be joining him, forcing her to make separate arrangements.
Recent reports suggest a solution may have been found. According to The Mail on Sunday, Sarah Ferguson is likely to move into a newly-renovated "granny annexe" within the grounds of her eldest daughter's home. Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, own a countryside estate in the Cotswolds, which they purchased in 2021.
A source indicated that the annexe appears ready for occupancy, citing a recent delivery of propane gas bottles during the first cold snap of winter. "It may not look like much of a palace on the outside, but I bet it's stunning inside," the source added. Beatrice lives in the main house with her two young children.
The formal notice for the couple to leave Royal Lodge was served last month, a move that followed renewed scrutiny over Prince Andrew's association with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
