25 MARCH 2003
Sarah, Duchess Of York was joined by Prince Andrew and Prince Charles on Monday as she bid a final farewell to her late father, Major Ronald Ferguson, at All Souls' Church in her family's home village of Dummer.

The private funeral and burial was attended only by immediate family, including Major Ferguson's daughters from his first marriage, as well as his second wife Susan, who was accompanied by the couple's three children, Andrew, Alice and Eliza. Granddaughter Princess Beatrice stood alongside her mother, but Princess Eugenie was unable to attend due to commitments at school.

Later, hundreds of friends and family members came together for a touching and sometimes humorous Thanksgiving service, planned by Major Ferguson himself, at All Saints' Church in Odiham. The large congregation would have "amazed" him, Sarah told mourners, because he had wondered "if anyone was going to turn up". Among those who gathered to pay their respects were Lord Fellowes, representing the Queen and Prince Philip, and Andrew Parker Bowles, who attended on behalf of the Princess Royal.

During the service, close friend Lord Palumbo read a heartfelt tribute on behalf of Sarah and her sister Jane. "When we were small, dad would flood us with birthday cards 'signed' by the cat, dog, ponies, house and car," he read. "The rhododendron bush was very loyal indeed, we recall."

A colourful figure on the royal scene, Major Ferguson ensured his memorial would be as unique as he was during his life. In accordance with his wishes, friends who attended did not wear black, and the service ended with a spirited Band of the Life Guards rendition of Out Of The Blue, the theme song of his favourite programme, Sports Report.

Major Ferguson died of a heart attack on March 16, aged 71.