Sarah Ferguson is facing a personal tragedy as the child she helped raise as a nanny has tragically died. The disgraced former Duchess of York, before marrying Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and joining the Royal Family, worked as a nanny for the sons of British businessman and former racing driver Paddy McNally in the 1980s, after their mother Anne passed away.
Paddy, now 88, has sadly lost his son Sean, who reportedly died suddenly. The former racing driver had two sons, Sean and Rollo, with his late wife Anne. Sean, who was in his early 50s, had been living a fairly remote life on an estate in Scotland, according to the Daily Mail. A funeral has reportedly already been held for the businessman's son.
Fergie joined the family as a nanny for the boys but later had a romantic relationship with Paddy from 1982 to 1985. The pair remained close friends even after their relationship ended. Paddy owns a luxury chalet in the popular skiing area of Verbier, Switzerland, where Fergie spent considerable time during their dating period.
Fergie has been spotted at the chalet, nicknamed The Castle, several times even after their romantic relationship ended. Following the release of emails between Ferguson and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein as part of the Epstein Files, the former royal has kept a low profile. The once camera-friendly royal retreated and appeared to go into hiding after her Duchess of York title was stripped and emails showed her calling Epstein the "brother I have always wished for". Being named in the Epstein Files does not imply wrongdoing.
Rumours have swirled since, with many asking where Fergie has vanished to, as she was not seen for months following the scandal. A number of Fergie's ex-partners were alleged to have rushed to her aid after she and Andrew were sensationally kicked out of their Royal Lodge mansion earlier this year. It has previously been claimed that the former Duchess could have been hiding at Paddy McNally's Wiltshire home. Along with this property and his chalet, the businessman reportedly also has homes in St Tropez, France, and a grouse moor in Scotland.
Another ex that Fergie could have turned to during this time is Count Gaddo della Gherardesca, who was her boyfriend between late 1997 and early 1998 following her divorce from Andrew. He owns an enormous home in Tuscany, as well as a ski lodge in Verbier.
