FOLLOWING her divorce from Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson has not remained as close as she was with the Royal Family.
However, she and the Duke of York still keep in contact and this is what you need to know about her and her role in the British monarchy.
Sarah Ferguson kept her titles as Duchess of York
Is Sarah Ferguson still part of the Royal Family?
Sarah Ferguson, also known as Fergie, is the Duchess of York.
She was formerly married to Prince Andrew.
The two wed in July 1986 at Westminster Abbey, but they separated in 1992 and formally announced their divorce in 1996.
When Fergie married Prince Andrew, she received the titles of Her Royal Highness and The Duchess of York.
After their split, her title became Sarah, Duchess of York, which is customary for former wives or husbands of royalty.
The couple has remained close since their divorce, fueling speculation that they still may be in love.
Who are Sarah Ferguson’s children?
Fergie has two daughters with Prince Andrew: Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
The sisters were born only 21 months apart.
Beatrice, is ninth in line, with her sister Eugenie eleventh in the succession list.
Although they appear at official events, the princesses don’t receive money or police protection through the royal family, as a royal is an individual who carries out engagements on behalf of the King.
In an interview with The Telegraph in 2008, Eugenie spoke on her differences from her sister and their strong relationship.
She said: “We get on fantastically well, perhaps because we do and think different things.
“I am definitely not as polite as Beatrice, I have to say.
“I tell it as it is. I am shyer at first.
“Like, at a party I will say to Beatrice as we go in, ‘Oh, you go first.’
“But then, when we’re actually in, I am much louder and she is far more polite and solicitous.”
In September 2020, Princess Eugenie confirmed that she was expecting her first child with her husband Jack Brooksbank.
Sarah was surely thrilled with the news, as she wrote: “I am so excited by the news that Eugenie and Jack are expecting their first child.
“Thrilled for them both and in my 60th year cannot wait to be a grandmother.
“Welcoming a new baby into the York family is going to be a moment of profound joy.”
On February 9, 2021, Eugenie gave birth to a baby boy, August Phillip Hawke.
Why was Sarah Ferguson estranged from the royal family?
There is speculation as to why the royal family ousted Fergie from their ranks.
During her marriage and after her split from Prince Andrew, she was heavily criticized for everything from her appearance to her behavior.
After she was officially divorced, she no longer carried out royal duties on behalf of the Queen, though she kept her title.
During this time, topless photos of Fergie vacationing with an American, John Bryan, were also published by the Daily Mirror.
Allegedly, she was also dealing with insurmountable debt.
Princess Margaret, who is her aunt-in-law wrote a note to Fergie that claimed she had embarrassed the family, according to the Telegraph,
“You have done more to bring shame on the family than could ever have been imagined,” she wrote in a note.
Her invitation to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding back in 2018 may have been a sign that she’s was at least partially back in the royal fold.
“Harry knows all too well what it feels like to be branded as the black sheep of the Royal Family,” royal biographer Christopher Andersen told the Daily Beast.
“Prince Philip, who has always detested the Duchess of York, may never be in a forgiving mood.
“But Harry is far more compassionate than previous generations of royals, and he obviously believes Fergie deserves another chance.”
