What’s next for Sarah Ferguson? As a spokesperson shed some light on her future plans as she prepares to leave the Royal Lodge, we consider the most likely option for her new home
After weeks of speculation about her next move, Sarah Ferguson has broken her silence. The former Duchess is set to be leave the Royal Lodge – the home she has shared with ex-husband Andrew since 2008 – by the end of the year. As such, she is on the hunt for a new property to call her own.
It was most recently reported that she was moving into a granny annexe on the grounds of eldest daughter Beatrice’s property in the Cotswolds. But a spokesperson has now clarified that Sarah is still in the process of deciding where she will set up home. “She is assessing a number of options currently, and no final decision has been made,” her spokesman told PEOPLE.
The rep also debunked claims that Sarah will live in the annexe or converted barn at Beatrice’s country home, saying it was not correct. Additionally, staying at the home of her second daughter, Princess Eugenie, in Portugal, which had also been floated, is not on the cards. So what’s next for Sarah? It’s been speculated that she might consider moving abroad in order to escape the furore over her association with Jeffrey Epstein.
The 66-year-old is said to be struggling following her and Andrew’s very public fall from grace, and she could up sticks and head overseas. America seems unlikely given the Epstein association, and she seems to have also ruled out Portugal.
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Some experts have suggested that Switzerland might be top of Sarah’s list. She has strong ties to the country; she and Andrew formerly owned a luxury chalet in the ski resort of Verbier. Although they sold the property in December 2022 due to financial issues, Sarah has spoken of her love of the region and its people, and in 2016 she even applied for Swiss residency.
Furthermore, Switzerland is just a short 1.30hr flight away from London. Sarah has a very close relationship with both her daughters and it’s unlikely she will want to live too far away; not least so she can continue to forge a relationship with her young grandchildren. The family factor will no doubt play an important role in Sarah’s decision-making process. Her sister Jane Ferguson now resides in Australia with her family – an option, but an unlikely one given the great distance.
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In recent weeks, Sarah has completely retreated from the public eye amid the ongoing furore over her connection to Jeffrey Epstein. Both she and Andrew are alleged to have lied about their friendship with the convicted paedophile – and the very public backlash has had a major impact on Sarah, according to insiders.
Now with no public standing, and essentially homeless, Sarah is said to be in a bad way. Royal commentator Helena Chard previously told Fox News : “Her [Fergie’s] nerves are frayed. She is shaken to the core by the loss of her royal safety net. She fears further humiliation and worries that the serious allegations will affect her girls’ standing.”
Another expert, Hilary Fordwich, added: “She’s described as ‘massively on edge’ and ‘panicking’ about her own future.” The phone has, reportedly, stopped ringing altogether with friends and business associates keen to distance themselves from the disgraced former couple, who have both gone to ground, hunkered down in their decaying 30-room Windsor mansion ahead of their eviction.
A source told the Daily Mail: “Sarah is going around blaming herself. She keeps repeating ‘what if I hadn’t done this, or hadn’t done that’. “The phone has stopped ringing overnight. Even those who were willing to defend her less than a month ago don’t want to have anything to do with her now. It’s a disaster. Professionally and personally. Even she can’t see a way of bouncing back.”
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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 offers, 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.”
