Sarah Ferguson is reportedly poised to start a new life in Portugal, in an attempt to leave the intense scrutiny and scandal she faces alongside ex-husband Andrew in the UK behind
The scandal surrounding Sarah Ferguson isn’t showing any signs of diminishing, but she is no stranger to reinventing herself. For 40 years, she was known as the Duchess of York, even using the title long after her divorce from the former Prince Andrew.
But with one blistering statement from Buckingham Palace, she and her ex-husband have been struck from the official roll of the peerage – and will be saying goodbye to their long-term shared home of Royal Lodge.
The pair will also be going their separate ways: Andrew has been offered a property on King Charles’s vast private estate in Norfolk, and Sarah is reported to be considering moving abroad to begin a new chapter in her life. The public has long had something of a love-hate relationship with Fergie, from being considered a breath of fresh air amongst the formal House of Windsor, to being marred by a series of major scandals.
Each and every time though, she has worked her way back into the affections of at least some of the public – but whether she will be able to do it this time, amid controversy surrounding her connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, remains to be seen.
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Now, the former duchess is primed to move to Portugal in the new year, reports have claimed, taking up residence in her daughter, Princess Eugenie’s property in the lavish CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club that is filled with A-list neighbours.
Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, spend much of their time in the £3.6 million mansion in Portugal due to Brooksbank’s job. The couple is reported to have arranged a “grand suite” for Fergie to enjoy in their home on the exclusive estate which also houses actors Nicole Kidman, Michael Fassbender, Scarlet Johansson, and superstar Madonna.
A neighbour is reported to have told the Mail Online, “The word here is that Fergie will be arriving sometime in January.” Dubbed the ‘Hamptons of Europe’ for its affluent atmosphere, it has previously been claimed in reports that Meghan and Harry also searched for their own home in the luxurious neighbourhood.
A source told the Daily Express, “How long she’ll stay is anyone’s guess, but if it’s a long-term move, I can guarantee she’ll fit well into the social scene. Scores of celebrities and stars have been snapping up properties in the area.”
The former duchess, who has previously written many books, is alleged to be planning on penning another tome when she starts her new life abroad, and is confident she can find her way back into the public’s good books, despite being marred by her connection to Epstein, from whom she is alleged to have borrowed large sums over the years.
“Despite the ominous ‘E’ word, Sarah seems certain all is not lost; public favour, she feels, can be hers once again with her planned rebrand as a ‘global empowerment leader”, reports the Mail Online. “She’ll relocate to Portugal, write books on ‘confidence and resilience’, embark on lecture tours, and speak at women’s leadership and wellness events – but what credentials could earn her this new title?”
