Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, is undertaking a significant and symbolic overhaul of her life in the wake of her ex-husband Prince Andrew's dramatic fall from grace. Stripped of his royal and military patronages, Andrew's ignominious exit from public life has left Sarah in a precarious position, forcing her to make key changes to protect what remains of her reputation and business interests.
The Paperwork Purge
One of the most telling changes involves her official business documentation. Sarah is now compelled to remove the word 'Duchess' from the paperwork of the eight limited companies where she still serves as a director. This administrative purge is part of a larger effort to untangle a complex web of inter-related companies she was associated with during her time as a working royal. The Daily Mail reports that the free-spending former duchess is deeply immersed in resolving this substantial corporate mess.
Her current life at the Royal Lodge in Windsor is reportedly strained. Sources indicate she spends considerable time in a purpose-built bar at the back of the mansion, nicknamed 'The Doghouse' by staff, where she is said to be drowning her sorrows. This comes as the future of the lavish residence itself remains deeply disputed.
Protecting the Next Generation
Perhaps more poignant is Sarah's reported efforts to shield her daughters from the scandal's fallout. A royal insider revealed that she is actively encouraging Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie to maintain a diplomatic distance from their disgraced parents. She is reportedly concerned that public association with her and Andrew could damage their daughters' own chances of remaining within the royal fold.
This protective stance highlights the severe collateral damage of the scandal. According to royal author Andrew Lownie, Sarah had been close to a form of re-acceptance by the Royal Family before her ex-husband's downfall. "There she was back in the royal box at Wimbledon," Lownie told The Mirror. "I think she had been invited to Sandringham for Christmas." That invitation, along with any for Andrew, has now been unequivocally rescinded.
A Limited Safety Net and More Revelations to Come
Despite her isolation from the monarchy, Sarah Ferguson is not without allies. She still possesses powerful friends willing to provide a safety net. Andrew Lownie stated, "Richard Branson's invited her to stay at Necker Island whenever she wants. Lots of people will come out of the woodwork to support her." He suspects she may eventually relocate to Switzerland or near her daughter in Portugal.
The situation, however, may deteriorate further. Lownie claims he is being inundated with new information from individuals formerly connected to Andrew, including protection officers, diplomats, and navy colleagues. The influx of revelations is so substantial that he is not only preparing an expanded edition of his exposé, 'Entitled', but also has enough material for a sequel, tentatively named 'Untitled'. This suggests the scandal surrounding the disgraced duke is far from over, with more damaging accounts likely to emerge.
