New Book Reveals Sarah Ferguson's 'Chaotic' Habit That Left Her Staff Embarrassed
Andrew Lownie, who has written extensively on the Yorks, suggested in his new biography that the environment surrounding the Duchess was far from orderly.
Over the years, a steady stream of reports has offered a rare glimpse into how various members of the Royal Family allegedly interact with staff behind Palace doors. Now, the spotlight has shifted to the House of York. A new book exploring the life of Sarah Ferguson has brought to light the 'chaotic' demands she reportedly placed on her personal assistants, and it's quite shocking to say the least.
Andrew Lownie, who has written extensively on the Yorks, suggested in his biography titled The Rise and Fall of the House of York, that the environment surrounding the Duchess was far from orderly. According to the royal biographer, "One of Sarah’s long-serving personal assistants found life with the duchess 'chaotic'. It was not for everyone: 'Some people only lasted half a day. It was like working with fifty jealous lovers.'" Lownie further suggested that the assistant even admitted to feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed by the former Duchess’s habit of accepting freebies, stating, "Sarah rarely paid for anything, expecting to be given products for free or be entertained by friends."
Lownie detailed a lifestyle funded by social maneuvering and borrowed favors. "She 'borrowed' security from some of her rich acquaintances," he wrote in his book, noting, "She was lent couture and didn’t always return it, or she ordered garments and often didn’t end up paying for them." Perhaps most surprising was the claim that Ferguson increasingly relied on financial support from her daughters to keep her personal finances afloat. The biographer stated, "The assistant and other staff members had problems getting paid and often had to buy things using their own credit cards. Sarah herself drew on Beatrice’s credit card constantly and paid one psychic in cigarettes."
The atmosphere of secrecy within the York household reportedly intensified as legal and financial pressures mounted. According to the Daily Express, the former Duchess asked all of her employees to sign rigorous non-disclosure agreements, a move clearly designed to prevent private details from being made public. However, it now remains unclear whether she currently has any staff at all. Meanwhile, in recent months, Sarah has largely stayed out of the public spotlight after her name surfaced in The Epstein Files.
