Sarah Ferguson's ex-partner Paddy McNally dies aged 88

Sarah Ferguson has received sad news while she's lying low out of the media spotlight - her ex-boyfriend, Paddy McNally, has died aged 88. 

Paddy was reportedly suffering from a long-term illness, but the news comes just two months after the tragic death of his son Sean. Sean died suddenly on his Balmoral estate, but details surrounding his death have not been published. 

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Sean was Paddy's son with his wife Anne Downing, and they also shared another son, Rollo, who is currently married to Elizabeth Daisy Hardman, commonly known as Daisy. 

Sean and Rollo's mother, Anne, passed away in 1980. Paddy then went on to date Sarah Ferguson for three years, from 1982 - 1985.

Paddy was a wealthy tycoon, with a background as a racing driver, who then worked alongside F1 icon Bernie Ecclestone in the business side of the sport. He also owned property over the years, including many chalets in the popular Swiss ski resort, Verbier.

© Tim Graham Photo Library via Get

Even after Sarah and Paddy split, they remained friends. Sarah has a reputation for being able to maintain close friendships with her ex-partners, proven by the fact she remained living with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for many years following their divorce. 

Paddy reportedly lent Sarah one of his ski chalets in Verbier for her to temporarily live amid the royal furore back home once she left Royal Lodge. 

Where is Sarah Ferguson living now?

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In the wake of the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal, when he was being ousted from Royal Lodge and arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Sarah immediately distanced herself from her ex, quietly departing the UK.

The former Duchess has managed to only be spotted a handful of times since; she's been seen at a ski resort in Austria in April abd she was also reported to have spent some time at the Paracelsus Recovery Clinic in Zurich, Switzerland, which she previously described as a "safe harbour in the storms of life". Northern Ireland is another place Sarah has said to have been staying.

What does the future hold for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson's relationship?

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The former couple's intriguing relationship divides royal experts. Royal author Andrew Lownie says he can see "no future in that relationship now," because of Sarah's radio silence. "She's made no public declaration of support for him in the way she used to do," he told HELLO!.

However, Ingrid Seward, the editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, believes their bond is too strong. "I'm sure they are still talking to each other because he's carried her through so much," she said. "They have so much in common: they both like money, they’re both irresponsible and they both live in a slight fantasy world of their own making. Perhaps they're destined to always be together. Apart, but together."