Professional chaos, continuing controversy, and looming homelessness pose a major dilemma for Sarah Ferguson, as she seeks a new home for the New Year after being booted out of Royal Lodge
Sarah Ferguson, who has not being a working royal in almost 30 years since she and Andrew divorced, has issued a telling statement about life after Royal Lodge.
King Charles has ordered Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, and former sister-in-law Fergie to vacate their opulent Royal Lodge residence after fresh revelations emerged about their long-term ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Leaked emails revealed Andrew and Fergie had stayed in touch with the paedophile billionaire longer than they had previously admitted.
Situated near Windsor Castle, the former married couple had resided in the 30-room Grade II listed estate for decades, but as the furore surrounding them reached boiling point, they’ve agreed to surrender the keys . Leaving Royal Lodge means that Fergie is searching for fresh accommodation, with Andrew prepared to relocate to a property in Sandringham, the monarch’s privately owned, sprawling estate in Norfolk. But her spokesman has rubbished reports that Sarah might move into a granny annexe on the estate of Princess Beatrice’s home, telling PEOPLE magazine: “She is assessing a number of options currently, and no final decision has been made.”
READ MORE: Andrew’s list of ‘astonishing demands’ for new home – ‘mansion with cook and driver’
“Contrary to reports, she has never asked for a property or any provision for herself,” a source added. “She will continue to forge an independent life.” A second source close to Sarah added that she will find her own place and is “going to move forward independently.”
It had previously been reported that her daughter, Princess Beatrice, might be intervening to provide shelter for her mother, by offering a a transformed “cattle shed” on her Cotswolds estate as a potential “granny annex” for her mother. The renovated outbuilding had allegedly been “stripped out and refurbished with fresh doors and windows,” and sits apart from the main six-bedroom residence across a courtyard, featuring its own separate entrance.
Another alternative would see Sarah potentially relocating to Portugal, where she could reside at her other daughter Princess Eugenie’s property in an upmarket area known as the “Hamptoms of Europe”. Eugenie owns a £3.6 million estate within the exclusive CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club, surrounded by numerous A-list celebrities including Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Michael Fassbender, and Scarlet Johansson.
Meanwhile, it was claimed yesterday that Andrew is demanding a “substantial” house on the Sandringham Estate complete with staff including a cook, gardener, housekeeper, driver, and police security.” The controversy engulfing Sarah has also wreaked havoc on her professional commitments. Her upcoming children’s book has allegedly been “pulped” and pulled from shelves by her publisher.
The title ‘Flora and Fern: Kindness Along the Way’ was originally scheduled for release on 9 October, before being delayed to 20 November. The title has now been pulled from publishing schedules, is no longer available for purchase from major retailers, and author events and book signings have been discreetly cancelled.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told the Mirror: “As I have mentioned before, for some reason, Andrew and Fergie have been drawn to great riches like moths to a candle.
“Sarah in particular seems to have been totally incapable of living within her means ever since she married into the Royal Family. Part of her money problems stems from her generosity. She has always loved to shower people with extravagant gifts, perhaps because of her low self-esteem, she thought it was a way to make them like her.
“As she said herself, she was always striving to be ‘the pleaser’. But both Andrew and Fergie seem to be trapped in a never-ending cycle of chasing wealth, no matter who their quarry is or what morals they hold.
“Now, in their 60s and both in deep disgrace, surely the time has come for them to cut their cloth to suit the money they have, and to live a quiet life without causing further embarrassment to themselves and to the family at large.”
But despite the potential lucrative offersr royal expert Jennie believes that while “there is no telling what Sarah will do next”. She added: “She has written her side of the story before, and she has clawed her way back from the depths of humiliation and despair. This time, however, I cannot see a way back for her.
“Any friendship with a man as depraved as Epstein is repulsive. To continue that friendship after he was convicted of sex crimes is indefensible. To sell her side of the story and take money for talking about Epstein would be equally indefensible. If she has got any sense – and I’m afraid that is up for debate – she will maintain a low profile and live her life quietly out of the public gaze.”
