The 1986 wedding of Sarah Ferguson to Prince Andrew was a national celebration, but behind the palace doors, their marriage was far from a fairytale.
The Lonely Duchess and Forbidden Affairs
Andrew's naval career kept him away for long periods, with Fergie later revealing she spent eight months of her first pregnancy alone. She claimed Prince Philip forbade her from living with her husband at his postings.
This isolation apparently led Sarah into the arms of American Steve Wyatt during her third year of marriage, while pregnant with Princess Eugenie. According to royal biographer David Leigh, Wyatt was the 'main reason for the breakdown of her marriage' and considered the 'love of her life'.
The Bathtub Calls and Toe-Sucking Scandal
Just weeks after giving birth to Eugenie, Sarah reportedly flew to Morocco with Wyatt, their relationship intensifying to the point where they discussed divorce. When Wyatt returned to America, Sarah quickly turned her attention to his friend and cousin by marriage, John Bryan.
Dr Allan Starkie's memoir reveals that Sarah began making 'naughty phone calls' to Bryan from her bathtub at Buckingham Palace shortly after their first lunch together. Bryan later boasted: 'You don't call a man from the bathtub if you're not ready to go to bed with him.'
The affair became public knowledge when photographs emerged showing John Bryan sucking Sarah's toes by a swimming pool, sparking widespread public ridicule and media frenzy.
Royal Fallout and Permanent Exile
The scandal led to Sarah being privately blacklisted by much of the Royal Family. Princess Margaret reportedly sent a devastating letter stating: 'You have done more to bring shame on the family than could ever have been imagined.'
Prince Philip never forgave her, though Sarah later reflected on his wisdom during an appearance on Alan Carr's podcast. She recalled Philip telling her: 'Remember Sarah, you've got to be electable but never elected.'
The Duchess described life with Philip as 'terrifying', noting how he would challenge silly questions and cause her to 'lose all your confidence'. The toe-sucking incident remains one of the most memorable royal scandals in modern history.
