A royal biographer has claimed that Sarah Ferguson used a cryptic five-word phrase to signal to her friends that her marriage to Prince Andrew was nearly over. Andrew Lownie's new book 'Entitled: The Rise And Fall Of The House Of York' examines the Duke of York's controversies and his decade-long marriage.
According to Mr Lownie, Ferguson told close friends 'The ranch is getting closer' when her relationship with Andrew was crumbling. The phrase referenced her mother Susan Barrantes, who left the family for a polo player in Argentina. Sarah and Andrew married in 1986, separated in 1992, and divorced in 1996 but remain on friendly terms.
The book's release has heightened royal family fears over further damaging stories about Andrew, who stepped back from public duties in 2019 after a disastrous Newsnight interview about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. A YouGov poll shows 87% of Britons view the Duke unfavourably, with only 5% having a positive opinion.
Mr Lownie told Sky News that Andrew has no public future, describing his current life as 'retired' — playing golf, watching television and seeing his grandchildren at Royal Lodge. The author spent four years writing the book, submitting hundreds of Freedom of Information requests, many of which were rejected.
