Firefighters fought for two hours to control a fire at one of the Duchess of York’s residences earlier this week. The Queen’s former daughter-in-law had been due to move into Château Fazy, 10 miles to the east of Geneva, next month, but the blaze has put plans on hold.
At least four rooms and much of the roof were destroyed, and the damage has been estimated at several hundred thousand pounds. Thankfully, the flame-haired 41-year-old was not in the property at the time.
The manor house is owned by one of the Duchess’ closest friends, Formula One businessman Paddy McNally, who bought it last year for £500,000, before embarking on a renovation project costing more than double that.
Sarah, who married Prince Andrew in 1986, was originally planning to relocate in secret to the village of Russin, where the château is situated, but a prominent Swiss politician spilled the beans about the October move. “She will definitely come and live here with her children.”
The Yorks had decided to send their two daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, to Aiglon College, until the establishment’s headmaster Richard McDonald, who had attended Gordonstoun at the same time as Prince Andrew, was arrested on child sex offence charges.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
