Sarah Ferguson, formerly known as the Duchess of York, has made several surprising on-screen cameos in beloved British and American sitcoms and films. While royals rarely appear in TV shows and movies, fans have spotted the occasional appearance, from King Charles' cameo in Coronation Street's 40th anniversary broadcast to Princess Beatrice's role in The Young Victoria.
Friends
Sarah made her best-known cameo in Friends, surprising fans in the season four episode 'The One with Ross's Wedding'. In the instalment, which aired in 1998, Joey (Matt LeBlanc) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) are exploring London when Joey bumps into the former duchess outside Westminster Abbey. "It's Fergie, baby!" Joey exclaims as he shows Chandler a video of his meeting with Sarah.
Following the death of actor Matthew Perry in 2023, Sarah penned a tribute to the Hollywood star on social media, recalling how "thrilled" she was to have met him in London.
The Vicar of Dibley and other appearances
Sarah made a brief appearance in a Vicar of Dibley sketch for Comic Relief in 1999. After Geraldine (Dawn French) supposedly threw a huge star-studded party for Johnny Depp and his famous friends, a smug David (Gary Waldhorn) suggests that she made the whole thing up. To his surprise, however, Fergie turns up at the door to collect a tiara she left at Geraldine's home, leaving him utterly shocked.
In 2020, Sarah launched a YouTube series called Fergie and Friends, in which she'd read classic and newly released children's books. The series was intended to bring comfort to younger audiences during the Covid lockdown.
An American in Austen and The Cat That Looked At A King
Sarah portrayed a fictional duchess in attendance at the Netherfield Ball in the 2024 Hallmark TV movie, An American in Austen. The film follows Harriet (Eliza Bennet), an American woman who is magically transported into the world of Pride and Prejudice, where she meets Mr Darcy (Nicholas Bishop).
The former royal also lent her voice to the character of the Queen in Disney's short animated film The Cat That Looked At A King. Released in 2004, the film's cast included Mary Poppins legend Julie Andrews and David Ogden Stiers.
