Sarah Ferguson’s Latest Scandals Just Caught Up With Her Children’s Book
Sarah Ferguson faced blow after blow after her past association with Jeffrey Epstein was exposed. Not only was she edged out of Royal Lodge, but her business endorsements have also taken a hit in the wake of the controversy. Recently, a source in the publishing industry claimed that her new children's book was pulled from shelves as retailers were too afraid to stock it for fear of being linked to her sketchy past. It was originally set for release on October 9, later pushed to November 20, and ultimately scrapped altogether.
Publishing insiders told the Daily Mail that 10,000 copies of Ferguson's book, Flora and Fern: Kindness Along The Way, were being sent to the recycling center. Initially, it was reported that it was delayed and pushed to November following renewed scrutiny over the Epstein scandal. However, an insider clarified, "It's not been delayed, it's being pulped. It's an acknowledgement of the inevitable. No one is going to want to buy it." Moreover, in-person signings and talks in bookshops, which Ferguson was supposed to host, were also cancelled. One local bookshop that had planned a meet and greet with her remarked, "It's a mess. The book is unsalvageable."
The Mail also noted that her book could no longer be sold because the cover states that it was written by 'Sarah, Duchess of York,' a title she is no longer permitted to use personally, let alone commercially. Industry bible The Bookseller likewise confirmed that it had been 'pulled from sale days before publication.' The story reportedly centered on two rabbits, one of whom gets lost in a big city and embarks on an adventure, learning about 'kindness and community' along the way. Its cancellation marks yet another setback for the former Duchess, following her removal as patron from several charities and the loss of her royal titles due to her association with Epstein.
The latest book fiasco isn't an isolated incident, as Ferguson has been embroiled in other similar scandals concerning her work. Long before the current controversy, she faced scrutiny over her first children's book, Budgie: The Little Helicopter. Published in 1989, it drew plagiarism rumors as similarities with another title, Hector the Helicopter, were evident. Royal author Andrew Lownie wrote in his scathing biography, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, that the publisher of Hector had allegedly considered legal action against the former Duchess. John Sargent of Simon & Schuster stated at the time that the likeness was 'a 100 percent coincidence.'
Meanwhile, despite her many setbacks, Ferguson is reportedly gearing up to pen a scathing memoir, not for children, but about her life with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Speaking to The National Examiner, an insider revealed that her alleged sharp-tongued biography is her last resort, as she's "worried sick about money and desperate to correct what she says are a ton of falsehoods." They explained, "Sarah is an extremely savvy operator. She's still hoping to crawl her way out of this mess and somehow repair her image."