Sarah Ferguson Remains 'Relaxed' and ‘Stands By’ Prince Andrew as Both Lose Royal Titles: Source
Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of sexual abuse that some readers may find distressing.
Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew’s controversial past finally caught up with them when they were forced to relinquish their royal titles. Following the leak of his scathing emails with Jeffrey Epstein, the Prince announced on October 17 that he would give up his royal titles after a private discussion with King Charles. Commenting on the chaos, a source revealed that Ferguson is 'standing by' her ex-husband, as she still has love for him.
Although Andrew and Ferguson have been divorced since 1996, they still live together in Royal Lodge and have remained on cordial terms. Reflecting on Ferguson’s stance, the insider told Page Six, "Sarah will always stand by Andrew; she will always have love for him. Sarah is relaxed …it’s always been a courtesy title."
While she seems not too bothered, or projecting a calm front, Ferguson was once fond of her Duchess of York title, using it to sell her children's and romance books. As per reports, the King, meanwhile, has been desperately trying to evict the couple from Royal Lodge, but Andrew and Ferguson are reportedly protected by a tenancy agreement with the Crown Estate.
With Andrew’s decision to relinquish his titles, Ferguson is automatically stripped of her own. The couple’s decision did not surprise many, considering the damage their leaked emails with Epstein had on the Firm. In a statement shared by Buckingham Palace, the former Duke of York confirmed, "In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life." He added, "I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."
While Andrew has vehemently denied that he had indecent relationships with women through Epstein, his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, claimed otherwise. In her memoir, Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice, released posthumously, she alleges that the Prince had illicit relations with her when she was 17 while being trafficked by Epstein. She said, "He was friendly enough, but still entitled — as if he believed having s*x with me was his birthright."
Ferguson has not been able to escape her past life either, as leaked emails saw her call Epstein her 'supreme friend.' The excerpts, published by The Sun, also saw the former Duchess tell Epstein that she was aware how he would 'feel hellaciously let down' by her. In the aftermath of the leak, her spokesperson told the Daily Mail, "The pressure she was put under to protect her family must have been huge... Her family and her children will always come first."
If you are being subjected to sexual assault, or know of anyone who is, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673)