Sarah Fergusonis speaking about the scrutinyPrince Andrewhas faced in recent years.
The Duchess of York, 63, appeared onGood Morning AmericaTuesday to discuss her new novel,A Most Intriguing Lady, on the day of the book’s release. The Duchess spoke about life afterQueen Elizabeth’s death, relating to her text’s heroine Lady Mary and the upcoming coronation ofKing Charles IIIbefore the conversation turned to her ex-husband, the Duke of York.
“You’ve been divorced for many, many years, and yet you’ve been Andrew’s rock,” correspondent Juju Chang asked. “What’s it been like watching him go through this withering public scrutiny?”
“So sad, so sad,” Sarah replied. “We’ve been there for each other — you know, when I’ve gone through really bad times in the past, Andrew’s always been there.”
“He is exceptionally kind, and he is a very, seriously good grandfather. He’s very steadfast for the girls,” she continued, referencing their daughtersPrincess BeatriceandPrincess Eugenie. “We are women that also have had to see the demise of a very strong man, and that has been really difficult to see.”
Sarah and Andrew wed in 1986, receiving the titles of Duke and Duchess of York upon their marriage. They went on to welcome their two daughters before splitting in 1992 and divorcing in 1996. Though the marriage ended over 25 years ago, the pair remained close and even live together in Windsor.
Prince Andrewmade headlines worldwidewhen his affiliation with the now-convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein came to light in 2019. The royal has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
DANNY LAWSON/AFP via Getty
In January 2022, the day after a judge in the U.S. rejected Andrew’s attempt to have Epstein tracking victimVirginia Giuffre’ssexual assault lawsuit against the prince dismissed, Buckingham Palace announced thatQueen Elizabethhadstripped her sonof his military titles and patronages. The Duke of York would no longer undertake public engagements as a working royal. About a month later, Andrew and Giuffree reached anout-of-court settlement.
During the Duchess' newGMAinterview, Chang noted in a voiceover that Sarah said the scandals surrounding Prince Andrew brought her closer to the Queen.
“We were his bookends during the last three years, and she really was my idol. Really was my legend,” Sarah told Chang of her relationship withQueen Elizabeth, who died in September at age 96.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Andrew.RICHARD POHLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The Duchess' relationship with her ex-husband similarly came up during herappearanceat The 92nd Street Y, New York on Monday night to discussA Most Intriguing Lady.Sarah shared similarly supportive words on Andrew’s behalf when moderator Samantha Barry brought up the topic.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
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“Well, I don’t really. I live in the clouds — not in my head, I travel a lot, and just very lucky. I really believe that family unity is to communicate, as we’ve created. I really feel strongly about it. I also feel that he… in 1986, I married a very good man,” she replied.
Pushing the subject, Barry said, “Let’s be honest, he’s had a pretty challenging couple years. He’s stepped away from royal duties because of what’s been in the news. How has that affected you, though?”
Princess Beatrice, Sarah Ferguson, Prince Andrew and Princess Eugenie.Sarah Ferguson/Instagram
source: people.com
