Sarah Ferguson ‘preparing to move into new home of her own’
After her husband Andrew was stripped of his royal titles, Sarah Ferguson is reportedly preparing to move into a new home of her own.
Sarah Ferguson is reportedly preparing to move into a new home of her own.
The 66-year-old’s apparent plans come after her former husband, Prince Andrew, 65, was formally instructed to give up the lease to Royal Lodge – their long-time shared residence.
A source close to Sarah told People: “She is going to be moving out and into a separate home. Contrary to reports, she has never asked for a property or any provision for herself. She will continue to forge an independent life.”
Another source confirmed Sarah “will find her own place and is going to move forward independently”.
A palace insider added to the outlet it was unlikely she would move to the Sandringham estate, where Andrew is expected to live once he leaves Royal Lodge.
Formal notice for the surrender of the lease on the property was served on 30 October, and People said it understands Andrew’s future accommodation will be privately funded by King Charles, 76.
The Sun reported last week Andrew had asked for two homes in exchange for leaving Royal Lodge – Frogmore Cottage, formerly occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and Adelaide Cottage, soon to be vacated by Prince William and Princess Kate, for Sarah.
Sarah and Andrew married in 1986, separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996 but have remained close.
Andrew moved into Royal Lodge – the 30-room mansion previously home to the Queen Mother – in 2003 and Sarah joined him in 2008.
The residence has been the site of family events, including Princess Eugenie’s 2018 wedding reception and Princess Beatrice’s 2020 marriage celebration.
Reports of Sarah’s alleged move plans comes after Buckingham Palace confirmed King Charles had begun the process of removing all of Andrew’s titles and honours, including the right to use “Prince”.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew. Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.”
The statement continued: “His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.”
It added: “Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
The move follows renewed scrutiny over Andrew’s association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the continuing controversy surrounding allegations made against him.
Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Sarah has also faced questions about her past links to Epstein.
In a 2011 interview with the Evening Standard, she described accepting nearly £20,000 from him to pay off her debts as a “terrible, terrible error of judgment,” adding: “I abhor paedophilia.”
However, last month The Sun and The Mail on Sunday reported Sarah privately apologised to Epstein shortly afterwards, writing in an email that he had been a “steadfast, generous and supreme friend”.
Following the reports, Sarah lost several patronages and relinquished her Duchess of York title, which she held through her marriage to Andrew.
As Andrew is formally stripped of his remaining honours, hers will also be removed in an official capacity.
