Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, has reportedly demanded a new royal property after being told to vacate Royal Lodge, according to royal experts. The request for Adelaide Cottage, the former home of the Prince and Princess of Wales, has been met with disbelief, with one commentator describing it as evidence of a 'weird fantasy world'.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail that the idea of Ferguson receiving another Crown Estate home would cause outrage, as she has not been a working royal since 1996. 'There's no reason at all that she should have her own Crown Estate home,' he said, adding that the demand shows she is 'getting out of touch with reality'.
It has since been confirmed that Prince Andrew will relocate to a smaller property on the King's Sandringham estate. Ferguson, meanwhile, is expected to move into a modest 'granny annexe' at her daughter Princess Beatrice's £3.5 million Oxfordshire mansion, which was once a cattle shed. The one-bedroom outbuilding has been renovated and is ready for occupancy, possibly before Christmas.
A source described the annexe as 'perfect' for Ferguson, allowing her to be close to her daughter while maintaining independence. However, the future remains uncertain, with reports that Ferguson is 'actively open to offers' for a memoir or interview to boost her income and public image.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond commented on Ferguson's financial struggles, noting that she has 'been totally incapable of living within her means ever since'. The move comes amid ongoing fallout from Ferguson's association with Jeffrey Epstein, which has damaged her reputation and severed ties with the royal family.
