Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh visits Ukraine as new book puts Andrew and Fergie marriage under spotlight

A senior royal has visited war-torn Ukraine as Prince Andrew and ex-wife Sarah Ferguson brace for new revelations about their relationship.

A bombshell new book about the marriage of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson is set to lift the lid on one of the royal family’s most controversial relationships.

Royal biographer Andrew Lownie is working on a new book about the pair, who still live together despite divorcing decades ago, due for release in 2025.

After a lavish royal wedding at Westminster Abbey in 1986, and the births of their two daughters, Andrew and Fergie’s marriage broke down in 1992.

The marriage of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson is under the spotlight in a new book. Picture: Getty Images

Since then, Ferguson has steadfastly stood by Prince Andrew throughout his various scandals and lives with him in his residence on his Windsor estate.

Lownie told Daily Express US: “This is a couple who got divorced within 10 years of marriage, and yet, 30 years, 40 years later, and in effect, are still living together.

“How did we get to this position? And, is that really the true position?”

Several books have been written about Andrew and Fergie as individuals, but there has yet to be a book about both of them and their relationship, Lownie said.

ROYAL ENTERS WAR ZONE

One of King Charles’ closest family members is visiting Ukraine in his stead despite Russian forces taking advantage of arms supply delays and pummelling the nation anew.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska met with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh in Ukraine on Monday despite the challenging battlefield conditions.

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, visits the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. Picture: AFP

The Duchess (L) and the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska (R) are both passionate advocates for women and children. Picture: AFP

The pair toured the famous Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv.

“Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh is visiting Ukraine at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, to demonstrate solidarity with the women, men and children impacted by the war and in a continuation of her work to champion survivors of conflict related sexual violence,” a statement from Buckingham Palace reads.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena Zelenska met with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. Picture: AFP

“Her Royal Highness this morning met the President and First Lady of Ukraine and delivered a message to them on behalf of His Majesty The King.”

It was a reunion for Sophie and the First Lady who last met at a Buckingham Palace reception hosted by Queen Camilla in November 2022 to draw attention to the plight of women and girls experiencing violence.

The First Lady and Duchess had much to discuss. Picture: AFP

Sophie’s visit to Ukraine occurred on the same day as NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg also paid a surprise visit to the embattled nation.

“Ukraine has been outgunned for months, forced to ration its ammunition … But it’s not too late for Ukraine to prevail,” Stoltenberg told reporters at a press conference.

Addressing the same press conference, Zelenskyy hinted at his frustration at how Russian forces had exploited a delay in aid from its allies.

Last week the US finally passed a A$93 billion Ukrainian aid package following months of congressional deadlock.

“Timely support for our army. Today I don’t see anything positive on this point yet. There are supplies, they have slightly begun, this process needs to be sped up,” Zelenskyy said.

Sophie is no stranger to war zones.

She has previously visited Kosovo, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Colombia during times of conflict.

Ukrainian tanks train in the Chernigiv region on September 8, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Picture: AFP

The Duchess of Edinburgh is visiting Ukraine to send a message from King Charles. Picture: AFP

This is the first time a member of the British royal family has visited Ukraine since the conflict began. Picture: AFP.

On International Women's Day in 2019, Sophie announced she would be championing the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and the UN’s Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

Sophie and her husband Prince Edward have been performing an increasing number of high level duties in recent months following the cancer diagnoses of King Charles and Princess Kate.

Royal watchers were relieved when the King announced last week he will shortly be returning to public-facing duties.

Originally published as Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh visits Ukraine as new book puts Andrew and Fergie marriage under spotlight