Sarah Ferguson's Relative Reveals Why She’s in Hiding as New Details Emerge
Sarah Ferguson’s cousin breaks his silence on her £2,000 (approx. $2,700)-a-night mountain hideaway.
A close family member has finally revealed the real reason Sarah Ferguson has been missing from the global stage. After months of being out of the public eye, the former Duchess of York was tracked down to a secluded £2,000 (approx. $2,700)-a-night mountain chalet in Austria — marking the first time she was seen publicly since attending her granddaughter Athena’s christening in December 2025. Now, Martin Barrantes, a relative of Fergie by marriage, has ended the silence surrounding her whereabouts, clarifying why she has opted for a self-imposed exile.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Barrantes confirmed that the former Duchess’s motivation was rooted in family loyalty rather than a simple desire for privacy. Discussing her decision, he revealed, “I have spoken to her [and] can tell you that she just wants to protect her children and her grandchildren.” He mentioned that he reached out to her three months ago during what he called a “difficult moment,” stating that Fergie appeared to be in “good spirits” despite the mounting pressure. The ‘difficult’ period, noted by Barrantes, refers to the wave of scrutiny Ferguson faces due to the release of millions of files linked to Jeffrey Epstein, released by the US Department of Justice.
These disclosures highlight the extent of their relationship, revealing messages where Fergie called the disgraced financier a ‘legend’ and the brother she always ‘wished’ for. Consequently, the fallout from these revelations has been swift and severe. She was stripped of her Duchess styling — a courtesy she was allowed to retain despite her 1966 divorce from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — and was subsequently also asked to vacate Royal Lodge. Since then, reports have placed her everywhere from her sister Jane’s home in Australia to Priscilla Presley’s guest room, though she has since dismissed such claims.
Amidst the intense calls for Ferguson to assist the US authorities, Barrantes has encouraged the public to redirect their attention. He insisted that the “real villain” remains Epstein himself, noting his belief that his cousin deeply regrets the trust she once placed in the late financier. As her connections to the UK continue to diminish, the former Duchess may be eyeing a permanent move abroad. After her eviction from the Grade II-listed property, according to Barrantes, a move to South America could be on the horizon, with Fergie still part-owning a vast ranch in Argentina, where her mother, Susan Barrantes, lived for a long time.
Regardless of whether the Austrian retreat is a temporary refuge or the first step in a permanent relocation, the former Duchess is clearly focused on protecting her daughters and grandchildren from the ongoing Epstein scandal, so much so that she would have likely been relieved that the York sisters were unaware of her location. Writing on his Naughty But Nice Substack, royal journalist Rob Shuter suggested that “There’s real uncertainty about how much Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie know….They may not have the full picture either,” — a situation that could assist Ferguson as she allegedly waits for the right time to make a ‘comeback.’
