Sarah Ferguson was reportedly unbothered by her Duchess of York title being removed last year amid public scrutiny concerning her ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's longstanding friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
After her former husband announced that he was giving up his titles, a source told HELLO! at the time that Sarah was comfortable with her ex's decision. "She will always support her former husband's decisions and do anything for the King. For her, this will not make a big difference," the source said.
© Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesFollowing her divorce from Andrew in 1996, Sarah used the courtesy title of Duchess of York, but has used her maiden name professionally over the years. The author is also affectionately known as Fergie.
Sarah Ferguson's bond with the royal family
Sarah was brought back into the fold in recent years before fleeing the UK as public scrutiny around her friendship with Epstein intensified.
In 2023, she joined the royal family as they stepped out for church service on Christmas Day, marking Sarah's first royal Christmas since the 1990s. That day she wrote on her Instagram, "We are enjoying each other’s company and feeling grateful today."
She has since attended Easter service at St. George's Chapel with the royal family both last year and this past April. More recently, Sarah accompanied Andrew to the Duchess of Kent's funeral held at Westminster Cathedral on Sept. 16.
After her former mother-in-law Queen Elizabeth's death in 2022, Sarah adopted the late monarch's corgis, Sandy and Muick. On the third anniversary of the Queen's passing in September, Sarah shared a snapshot of the corgis, writing: "Today marks three years since the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty will be forever loved, always missed, and never forgotten. Not a day goes by when I don’t think of the kindness I was unstintingly shown in good times and bad. Caring for Her Majesty’s beloved corgis is an honour and a daily reminder of the times we shared together."
© Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesAndrew released a statement on Oct. 17 last year, revealing that he would be giving up his title and honors that have been conferred upon him. He said, "In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first."
Andrew continued: "I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life. With His Majesty's agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."
© Samir Hussein/WireImageWhere is Sarah Ferguson now?
Sarah Ferguson appears to be embracing a nomadic existence after being ousted from Royal Lodge, the residence she shared with her ex-husband. She has been spotted at a string of high-end hotels and global wellness retreats as she hides from public view.
Among her recent stays was a month-long stint at the ultra-exclusive Paracelsus Recovery Clinic in Zurich, Switzerland, which costs £13,000 a day. While rumours have circulated that she might relocate to Portugal - where her pregnant daughter, Princess Eugenie, maintains a base - nothing has been finalised.
Sarah appears to be actively working to distance herself and her personal brand from her ex-husband, who remains ostracised from the royal family. If she decides she no longer feels welcome in the UK, she reportedly has a close circle of contacts in both the United States and Switzerland to fall back on.
© GettyIn April, it was reported that Sarah had "no immediate plans" to leave her current haven in the Alps. The Sun recently published the first photos of the former royal in 213 days, capturing her at a £2,000-a-night resort near the Mayrlife Medical Health Resort in Altaussee, Austria.
Keeping a low profile in a blue coat and a white baseball cap, she made her first public appearance since stepping away from the spotlight. According to an insider, Sarah intends to stay put for the foreseeable future, noting that the Austrian resort offers "everything you'd want for a lengthy stay."
Her last public appearance alongside the royal family was last autumn when she attended the Duchess of Kent's funeral at Westminster Cathedral. She was last photographed where she was spotted in the back of a car arriving at St James's Palace for the christening of her granddaughter, Athena.
