By royal biographer Emily Andrews
‘YOU’VE GOT TO ADMIRE SARAH, DUCHESS OF YORK’
Whatever you may think of Prince Andrew, the redhead formerly known as Fergie has stuck by her man (despite divorcing him), adopted the late Queen’s corgis and is proving her worth as family breadwinner in her new incarnation as a romance author.
In a whirlwind of interviews to promote her second historical novel, A Most Intriguing Lady, she seems to be having a ball.
She may sometimes appear as nutty as a fruitcake, but she keeps picking herself up, doesn’t feel sorry for herself and is never, ever rude about the rest of the Royal Family (Harry, take note!).
In fact, even when she was asked about Charles moving her and Andrew (they still live together at Royal Lodge in Windsor) into Frogmore Cottage, she firmly said, ‘That is really a matter for the Duke and His Majesty.’
She then went on to be gushingly charming about Charles and Camilla, and how they would always have her support.
That’s the way to do it, Fergie!
She, at least, seems to have accepted Andrew’s fate – that he will never return as a working royal and that his public life is over.
The Jeffrey Epstein scandal – which started with him lending money to pay off Fergie’s debts – hugely tainted the Royal Family. Previously, it had been Andrew looking after his ex-wife after pictures of her toes being sucked, and a newspaper sting by a ‘fake sheikh’ reporter, had seen Sarah banished from royal life. The late Prince Philip reportedly wouldn’t tolerate being in the same room as her, and so in later years the Queen would only invite Sarah up to Balmoral when he wasn’t there.
Now, after Andrew, 63, has been forced to give up all his royal patronages and morosely tries to fill his days, Sarah is looking after him.
‘I’m in a position where I can support him and the rest of the family through my work. And I’m really pleased and proud to do that,’ she said.
She also feels that she is now her ‘best self’.
‘I think that gaining confidence in writing has given me something that’s my own. It is not the Duchess, it is not Fergie, it is not Diana’s best friend. It is not the Queen’s daughter-in-law. It i
